As Türkiye enters 2026, the country is preparing to reach a new milestone in climate and sustainability. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) is taking on a more concrete framework, while the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan have been put into implementation. Carbon reporting under the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is becoming a decisive factor, particularly for export-oriented sectors.
The year 2025 marks the entry into force of Türkiye’s first Climate Law, making green transformation no longer just an environmental responsibility but a strategic priority that directly affects companies’ competitiveness, access to finance, and position in global markets.
An important development that will increase the global visibility of this transformation process is Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 in 2026.
“Green Transition Is Not a Compliance Process, It's a Competitive Strategy”
Commenting within this framework, Ediz Günsel, Chairman of the Board of SKD Türkiye, emphasized that green transformation is no longer just an adaptation topic for the business world but has become a new parameter of competition, stating:
“Green transformation is no longer an adaptation process; it has become a new competitive parameter for the business world. How our companies embrace this change will be decisive for their long-term growth and continued presence in international markets. When managed with the right strategies, this process can turn into a significant opportunity for our country.”
In this context, Günsel shared 14 key points—described as the “2026 Green Transformation Recipe”—to help companies enter 2026 stronger, more agile, and more resilient.
14-Point Roadmap for Companies to Enhance Resilience and Maintain Competitiveness
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Ownership: Senior management must embrace green transformation and integrate it into strategic plans, ensuring the change is embedded within the corporate structure.
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Energy Transition: Shifting to renewable energy sources is a key focus area for both decarbonization and cost advantages.
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Energy Efficiency: Implementing projects and technologies that improve energy efficiency is one of the most effective steps to strengthen sustainability performance.
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Collaborations: Developing cross-sector joint investments and circular production partnerships can accelerate transformation and create new opportunities.
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Inclusivity: Involving the entire value chain in the transformation process, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring holistic ecosystem change is crucial.
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Flexibility and New Investment Areas: Diversifying business activities and targeting sustainable new investment areas is a fundamental component of long-term resilience.
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Reading Risks and Opportunities: Holistically analyzing the risks and opportunities brought by green transformation directly impacts strategic decisions and competitive advantage.
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Technological Transformation: Integrating digitalization and artificial intelligence applications into business processes serves as a priority tool for increasing efficiency and innovation capacity.
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Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations supported by public institutions in infrastructure investments and high-cost transformation projects accelerate the process.
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Reporting, Assurance, and Communication: Establishing measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification systems strengthens governance quality and stakeholder trust.
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Investing in People: Active participation of employees and stakeholders, development of new skills, and adoption of a continuous learning culture play a key role in the success of the transformation.
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Speed: Companies that adapt quickly to change and act agilely become leaders in green transformation.
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Access to Finance: Developing projects that comply with international standards and are transparent and reliable is critical for securing financing.
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Time to Act: Türkiye’s current stage in the green transformation process requires companies to invest greater effort and act collectively to become the winners of this transition.
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