Green Economics

"Low carbon economy" is a term that refers to a green ecological economy based on low energy consumption and low pollution. The term was first published in 2003 in the British Department of Commerce and Industry's study "Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy". A low carbon economy or green economy is a new and competitive growth model where natural resources are protected and the economy develops environmental technologies. Both developed and developing countries are now shaping their economic development goals with green growth approaches due to today's conditions. Since the transition to low carbon will have additional costs in the short term, ensuring financial stability is a prerequisite for investments in this regard. It is also vital to implement the necessary tax regulations that facilitate this transition. Low carbon innovation is a factor that strengthens the resilience of the country's economies against climate change by providing many advantages to countries. 

The carbon footprint is the calculation of the greenhouse gases that are directly or indirectly emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activities in a certain period, with the equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO2). According to the Global Carbon Budget 2019 Report, Turkey, which ranks 15th in the world in carbon emissions that trigger climate change, released 430 million tons of carbon in 2018. The carbon emission amount of China, which is at the top in this field, was recorded as 10.1 billion tons. In 2018 emissions, energy-related emissions took the biggest share with 71.6% as CO2 equivalent. It is noteworthy that the highest increase over the years is due to industrial processes and product use along with the agricultural sector. In 2019, energy-related emissions had the largest share as CO2 equivalent with 72%, followed by agriculture with 13.4%, industrial processes and product use with 11.2%, and the waste sector with 3.4%. While there has been a significant increase in the amount of land permitted for agriculture in Turkey over the years, the agricultural land area has started to shrink since the beginning of the 1990s. 

Agricultural Carbon Emissions

Direct emissions from agriculture account for about 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A study conducted in June 2020 revealed that the greenhouse gas emissions from the world's 13 largest dairy companies are equal to the emissions of the United Kingdom, the world's 6th largest economy. In Turkey, the number of farmers has decreased by 48% in the last 12 years, and the number of people employed in the agricultural sector has decreased by 44% in the last 18 years. Agricultural areas also show a remarkable decrease. In the next ten years, the aim is to reduce the emission intensity of agricultural production in most regions of the world. As a result of measures and studies in this direction, much slower growth in direct greenhouse gas emissions is foreseen. It is known that global warming and climate change have a significant impact on the agricultural sector. Environmental factors such as rapidly increasing CO2 emissions, excessive precipitation and floods, drought, and a decrease in groundwater level adversely affect agricultural productivity in the country and thus the agricultural sector. Many studies indicate that CO2 emissions have an effect on the reduction of agricultural lands, and similarly, CO2 emissions reduce the productivity of agricultural lands. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced through a portfolio of low-carbon technologies. Turkey needs to get rid of its import-dependent structure in energy use and accelerate renewable energy projects. It should be able to calculate the amount of carbon absorbed in agriculture, and accordingly, carbon management and climate change adaptation studies should be done more frequently. The pandemic conditions we are in has shown us the importance and priority of these policies. It is now a necessity to seek ways to increase the future productivity of agriculture and to try to minimize its effects on the environment.

Asst.Prof.Funda KARA