Combating Climate Change and Adaptation to Climate Change

In recent years, climate change has emerged as one of humanity’s most pressing issues, profoundly impacting both the environment and human life. Triggered by industrial activities that began with the Industrial Revolution and the rise in human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, climate change has intensified, posing a global challenge that equally affects all countries. Its disruption of ecosystems and the rapid depletion of natural resources necessitated urgent action. Consequently, the responsibility to address climate change has shifted not only to governments but also to every sector and individual. This situation highlights the need for international collaboration to develop global solutions and strengthen the fight against climate change.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, marked the first and most significant international step towards addressing climate change. Following the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Climate Agreement as of October 5, 2016, numerous initiatives have been implemented to address climate change and sustainability concerns. Since 1995, the United Nations Climate Change Conferences have been held annually. This year, COP29 in Azerbaijan resulted in several significant decisions, including commitments for the Loss and Damage Fund, set to take effect in 2025; agreements on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to facilitate investment in carbon markets; a consensus to phase out fossil fuels; and a collaboration between 75 countries and 1,000 digital technology leaders to utilize digital tools for climate objectives, formalized in the Green Digital Action Declaration.

Türkiye has also made notable strides in addressing climate change. Its participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which began in 2004, marked a significant step on the international stage. In this context, Türkiye adopted the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, signed it in 2016, and officially ratified it in 2021. Following this, Türkiye announced its target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2053. At COP27, the country presented its updated Declaration of National Contribution, outlining the path toward this goal. Accordingly, Türkiye announced a 41% GHG emission reduction target by 2030, up from the initially-announced 21%, in addition to its plans to give momentum to its green transformation vision.

Türkiye aimed to advance sustainable development by considering international developments when formulating its development strategies and balancing economic, social, and environmental factors. The country quickly adapted to emerging international regulations and updated its legislation accordingly. In December 2023, the Public Oversight Authority translated the Sustainability Standards published by the International Sustainability Standards Board in June 2023 into Turkish, introducing them as the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS). Starting in 2024, companies meeting certain criteria will be required to provide climate-related disclosures and reporting. Initiatives such as the preparation of a climate law and ongoing sustainability efforts and regulations of institutions underscore the significance Türkiye places on addressing climate change.

While climate change is widely recognized as a global reality, it is increasingly evident that adapting to its impacts is as vital as reducing emissions. Adaptation activities have surged worldwide, gaining prominence alongside emission reduction policies within international agreements. Given that the effects of climate change differ based on local, national, and regional conditions, it is essential to prioritize local dynamics and ensure that all stakeholders collaborate effectively.

Ultimately, enhancing strategies and policies, along with fostering informed and responsive societies and institutions, has become critical for both combating and adapting to climate change.

Technology and Digital Transformation

The transformative impact of technology and digital transformation in the business world and society grows in importance daily. Effectively utilizing technology and engaging in the digitalization process not only fosters societal development but also provides vital support for sustainable growth in countries and companies. This transformation enables businesses to access information rapidly, helping them gain a competitive edge. Therefore, organizations and companies must stay abreast of technological innovations and integrate these changes into their processes.

Digitalization allows companies to grow more quickly and become more resilient to economic crises. Digital transformation is a broad concept that encompasses not only technological advancements but also new economic models, lifestyles, ways of thinking, and business cultures. To successfully navigate this change, companies must develop skills and services that keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

Business models must be flexible and agile for enterprises to effectively manage digitalization processes. Additionally, the corporate culture must embrace change and foster innovation. Companies lacking these elements may struggle to adapt to technological advancements and disruptive developments.

As technology advances, digital transformation has emerged as a crucial driver of competitive advantage. In the near future, key areas such as mobile technologies, the Internet, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, autonomous systems, robotic systems, audio and video processing technologies, cloud computing, and blockchain will dominate the business landscape. These technologies will fundamentally transform companies’ internal processes and the products and services they provide.

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