The “Climate and Environment Workshop,” organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the municipalities of Selçuklu, Karatay, and Meram, as part of the Environmental Week activities of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, has begun. The workshop, which will last for two days with the participation of municipalities from across Turkey, public institutions and organizations, and academics, will discuss practices in the areas of climate change mitigation, Zero Waste, and energy efficiency.

Under the coordination of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, along with the municipalities of Selçuklu, Karatay, and Meram, organized the “Climate and Environment Workshop” as part of the “2023 Turkey Environmental Week Konya Events.”

Hülya Şevik, the Director of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, spoke at the opening of the workshop held at Selçuklu Congress Center. She mentioned that they are carrying out activities to enhance environmental awareness, increase consciousness, and work on the protection and prevention of pollution in schools regarding environmental issues. Şevik stated that they will continue to work towards leaving a healthier and more livable world for future generations and thanked everyone who contributed.

“I BELIEVE VALUABLE RESULTS WILL COME OUT AT THE END OF THE WORKSHOP”

Mustafa Kavuş, the Mayor of Meram, said, “We, as Konya, are trying to highlight the climate change and Zero Waste projects initiated by the valuable wife of our President, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, and carried to the United Nations. Two years ago, a significant Climate Summit was organized here. The statements we heard there were truly alarming. If we do not take a step, if we do not do something as of today, it has been clearly conveyed to the whole world and our country that we cannot have a long-lasting world. I believe that valuable results will come out at the end of this workshop. Hopefully, I think our workshop will contribute to the steps that will save our city, our country, and the world.”

“WE ARE DOING OUR BEST AS MUNICIPALITIES”

Mayor Hasan Kılca of Karatay Municipality expressed that they are conducting work on Zero Waste and environmental issues in collaboration with Konya Metropolitan Municipality, stating, “As municipalities, we are doing our best. All our efforts are aimed at transferring our land, water, and forests to future generations in a better way, just as they are today. Hopefully, in the future, we will continue to make a name for Konya municipalities and make efforts to carry out environmental-related work together. I attach great importance to the outcomes of this workshop, and I believe it will shed light on our future endeavors and vision.”

Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı of Selçuklu Municipality emphasized that they have carried out numerous projects, particularly in the areas of environment and Zero Waste, stating, “In the past year, we have reclaimed 28,740 tons of recyclable waste for our national economy. With the solar panels installed in our municipal service building and Tropical Butterfly Garden, we have generated 1,726,684 kilowatt-hours of energy. This has prevented the felling of 169,123 trees. Additionally, at our compost production facility, we have processed organic waste and produced 1,060 tons of compost. We have contributed these waste materials to both nature and our economy. Our goal is to leave a cleaner and more livable environment for future generations.”

Mustafa Uzbaş, Acting Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, reminded that one of the most significant problems affecting all of humanity is global climate change. He stated, “As Konya Metropolitan Municipality, we are aware of our responsibility in achieving the goals set in line with Turkey’s participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s announced ‘2053 Net Zero Carbon Emission Target and Green Development Revolution.’ We are rapidly continuing our fight against climate change and our projects on green energy management for a sustainable environment.”

Uzbaş mentioned that the Climate Change Action Plan for Konya is largely completed, and he added, “Within the scope of our fight against climate change in the Metropolitan Municipality, we are carrying out important work in various areas such as waste management, Zero Waste, green energy, water and wastewater management, purple infrastructure, agricultural support, bicycle lanes, smart transportation, calculation and reduction of carbon footprint, ecological corridors, improving air quality, and noise barriers. With the Climate and Environment Workshop we are inaugurating today, we will add another one to our efforts in this field.”

The workshop, attended by exemplary municipalities in terms of climate and environment activities, representatives of public institutions and organizations in Konya, and academics from various universities, will address practices related to climate change, Zero Waste implementation, and energy efficiency.

The “Climate and Environment Workshop” will conclude on Tuesday, June 6.

Source: (BYZHA) Beyaz Haber Ajansı