The Turkey Corporate Responsibility Association, which has been operating since 2005 with the mission of supporting the realization of Sustainable Development Goals in Turkey by ensuring that companies play an effective role in environmental, social and governance areas, has made a significant impact with a major summit.

The 14th Corporate Responsibility Summit, held on February 2, 2023 with the support of the venue sponsor Zorlu PSM and the contribution of Zorlu Holding, saw valuable speakers take the stage to discuss “The Codes of Transformation.” At the summit, successful organizations in Turkey that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals were also awarded.

Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility not among the Top 10 Criteria for Ideal Companies!

Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility are not in the First 10 Criteria for the Ideal Company” – The opening speech of the Summit was held by the President of the Turkish Corporate Responsibility Association, Nuran Aksu. According to the 2022 Sustainable Development Goals report, the ongoing pandemic and energy crisis are putting the attainment of the goals at risk. It is crucial that we take concrete steps, especially in addressing poverty, decent work and growth, climate change, and biodiversity.

Today, global warming has reached 1.1 degrees compared to the pre-industrial era. According to the latest report by the UNFCC, if national governments fail to implement their current commitments, global warming will reach 2.5 degrees by the end of the century. In the business world, sustainability and corporate responsibility are not among the top 10 criteria for an ideal company as determined by a survey of 1500 senior and mid-level executives conducted by Capital Magazine’s survey of the Most Loved Companies.

Despite the unfavorable circumstances, “there is still hope.” This is because you, responsible companies, non-profit organizations, associations, academia, and we are all here. Today, an amazing summit program awaits us. At the end of today’s program, we will present awards to companies that add value to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The closing remarks of the speaker, Nuran Aksu, the President of the Turkish Corporate Responsibility Association, can be summarized as follows: “Despite the unfavorable results, I want to express that all the companies that participated in the award process are valuable due to their efforts, beliefs, and responsibilities they took. I sincerely congratulate all the companies who applied with their projects. Regardless of the outcome, their practices are truly appreciated.”

18 Projects Awarded for Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals

Following the summit program, at the ceremony that took place, 18 projects that added value to the Sustainable Development Goals were deemed worthy of the award as a result of the evaluation conducted by experts and independent jury members in the field. The companies that contributed to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations were deemed worthy of the award.

Golden Award in Waste Management Category – Migros – Respect for Food Project

Bronze Award in Waste Management Category – Carrefour – Don’t Be Fooled by Its Appearance, Give it a Try Project

Silver Award in Biodiversity Category – Enerjisa – Development and Strengthening of Beekeeping Project

Bronze Award in Biodiversity Category – Fiba Energy – Biodiversity Approach in Renewable Energy Project

Bronze Award in Biodiversity Category – Boyner – Today It Exists, Don’t Let it Disappear Tomorrow Project

Bronze Award in Environmental and Social Innovation Category – Samsung – Galaxy For Planet, EcoPackage Project

Golden Award in Circular Economy Category – Nivogo x Boyner Project

Bronze Award in Circular Economy Category – Aklease – ECOLease Project

Bronze Award in Green Building Category – Tekfen Holding – FNN Sustainability Center Project

Golden Award in Social Investment Category – Kale Group – Take Care of the World Movement Project

Silver Award in Social Investment Category – Opet – Clean Work Project

Bronze Award in Social Investment Category – BSH Turkey – I Have an Opinion White Goods Technology Competition Project

Golden Award in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Category – FLO – Flo X BlindLook Collaboration Project

Silver Award in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Category – Faydasıçok Holding – Treasures in Sedef Program Project

Bronze Award in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Category – Boyner – With You It’s Complete Project

Bronze Award in Employee Participation Category – Socar – Socar Turkey Volunteers Project

Special Award for Sustainability Communication – Boyner – Today It Exists, Don’t Let it Disappear Tomorrow Project

Special Award for Sustainability Communication – Kale Group – Take Care of the World Movement Project

Special Award for Collaboration – Enerjisa – Development and Strengthening of Beekeeping Project

Special Award for Collaboration – Enerjisa – Women’s Education Program Project

Special Award for Measurable Contribution – Migros – Respect for Food Project

Special Award for Measurable Contribution – Logo Software – Coders of Dreams Project

The panel and panelists at the 14th Corporate Responsibility Summit were as follows;

TÜHİD Board Chairman İpek Özgüden Özen will moderate the Sustainability Communication and Media Panel with panelists Hakan Güldağ from Nasıl Bir Ekonomi Gazetesi, Şeref Oğuz, Handan Sema Ceylan, and Didem Eryar Ünlü.

Doç Dr. Dicle Yurdakul, the Executive Partner of WE.Q. Consulting, will moderate the Art and Sustainability Panel with panelists Filiz Ova, the General Manager of Zorlu PSM, and Görgün Taner, the General Director of İKSV.

M. Feride Doğan Kızar, the Sustainability Manager of Akbank, will moderate the Green Transformation Panel with panelists Zeynep Erdoğan, the Director of imeceLAB, Ekin Al, the Founder of Onarım Atölyesi, Alper Güven, the Director of Arkhe Innovate, and Gizem Kendik, the Director of Toyi Etki.

Prof. Dr. Haluk Gürgen from Bahçeşehir University will moderate the Gender Equality Panel with panelists Murat Yeşildere, the Senior Partner of Egon Zehnder, Zülal Öztürk Kaya, the Human Resources Director of Zorlu Holding, and Emine Erdem, the Chairman of Kagider.

Dr. Sertaç Doğanay will moderate the Tech4Good Panel with panelists Begüm Arş Türk, the CMO of Logo Yazılım, Serdar Gere, the IBM TCL, Burcu Küçükünal, the Deputy Chairman of Digital Design and Innovation at Akbank, and Simge Abay, the Sustainability and CSR Team Leader of Trendyol. During the summit, ZENNA Research General Manager Nuray Koçik will make a presentation on Sustainability and Reputation Research, and Prof. Dr. Bilge Uzun will give a speech on Sustainability and Psychology.