NEW RULES IN GLOBAL TRADE: CARBON AND SUSTAINABILITY
Yusuf ÖZKAN
Kayseri Plastics Industrialists Association (KAYPİDER)
Chairman of the Board
In this period, where global competition is being reshaped by environmental sensitivity, it is no longer an option but an unavoidable necessity for Turkish industry to become ready for carbon management. Otherwise, we will pay a much heavier price, both economically and environmentally.
Today, the traditional understanding of trade and production passed down from fathers and grandfathers has given way to global industrial competition and economic wars dominated by much harsher conditions. This rapid process of change and transformation has led to the brutal consumption of both our underground and above-ground resources; at the same time, it has brought with it the growing problem of waste, exacerbated by excessive consumption and extravagance.
In particular, European and Western countries, which have not hesitated to exploit third world countries to access underground resources and gain economic benefits, disregarded human life, and employed millions of people as slaves, yet still had the audacity to speak of human rights once their interests were met, have considered every means permissible for their own benefit. Unfortunately, with the increasing power of news and media, as these truths began to emerge, these countries have opted to change their methods; they have invented new concepts and practices, sought ways to produce new decisions, laws, and regulations in line with their own interests, which would lead to unfair competition at an international level.
SECOND AND THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES ARE PAYING THE BILL
In this context, today we see concepts such as "emissions trading system", "carbon border adjustment mechanism", "climate crisis", and "drought" being brought to the agenda. These arguments are planned to be gradually implemented over time. Here, it is inevitable to ask: Well, where were you when you were turning the world upside down for decades? What did you do for the environment when news of the ozone layer thinning spread around the world? Nothing, of course… Because it was not in their interest at that time. Today, after preparing their own infrastructure in this direction, by introducing new rules and sanctions based on environmental sensitivity, they are trying to make second and third world countries pay the heavy bill for this transformation. In other words, they first polluted and destroyed the environment themselves, and now they are making plans to impose the cost of this pollution on others.
TURKISH INDUSTRY IS NOT YET READY
We see large international firms establishing departments and employing expert consultants in this area. However, it is difficult to believe that Turkish industry is ready for this process yet. When we look at our SMEs and other businesses, we see information meetings being held through chambers of industry and associations. But unfortunately, these meetings often only succeed in creating general awareness. There are still serious uncertainties regarding issues such as carbon measurement methods, calculating the carbon footprint of products in the supply chain, measurement criteria, and the costs of these processes. Furthermore, the high costs that these applications will bring concern our manufacturers and exporters.
However, the reality is this: there is no escape from this process. The new rules of international trade and competition are being shaped around environment and carbon. It has become inevitable for our companies to establish their infrastructure, form their teams, and prepare their roadmaps for carbon management before penalties and sanctions come into play. Because in the future, nature will surely make us pay for what has been done to it. Climate change, drought, depletion of water resources, and increasing waste mountains are the clearest indicators of this.
WE MUST ADAPT TO THE TRANSFORMATION
Today, showing the necessary sensitivity regarding environmental impacts is a must for both our industry and our future generations. As we all know very well, "it is always a gain to turn back from harm, no matter at what point." Therefore, for Turkish industry to adapt to this transformation, re-evaluate its production approach, and place sustainability at the center of its business practices is now an unpostponable task.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.