Turkey Environment and Water

Turkey’s accession process to the European Union, though currently frozen, has been a major impetus for large-scale environmental remediation and implementation of new environmental standards. Local municipalities play an important role in recycling, water purification, sewage treatment, environmental remediation, and solid waste management.

Preventing water loss is a priority for Turkish municipalities. The water authorities of some large, industrialized cities have implemented Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to identify water losses and network failures. However, these systems need to be expanded to less developed regions of Turkey as well. Restoration of the sewage network and treatment of sewage sludge are also important. Moreover, the textile, cement, iron/steel, chemical, food processing, and automotive sectors will need to make investments in wastewater treatment.

FACTS & FIGURES:

With respect to waste management and recycling, Turkey is mostly compliant with European legislation; however, it lacks source separation recycling. Although not an EU member, Turkey’s candidacy requires the harmonization of environmental regulations with EU standards. Alignment with EU standards creates an environmental infrastructure and technologies market that will ultimately be worth $96 billion. Such alignment should be complete by 2024.

Market Opportunity: U.S. companies can contribute to the environmental infrastructure of Turkish municipalities. In 2016 and 2018, the World Bank approved loans ($133 million and $91.5 million, respectively) for the Sustainable Cities I and II Projects in Turkey. This program aims to improve the economic, financial, environmental, and social sustainability of Turkish cities by enabling interested municipalities to access financing for their investments and to improve citizen services. In May 2019, an additional $560 million was approved to scale up projects in the program. The funds are assisting cities by financing investments in infrastructure needed to meet service delivery requirements in the water and wastewater systems, public transportation, waste management, and energy services and other areas.

For more information, contact Yaprak Cakilcioglu.