Corporations who act as an exemplary role model in fighting climate change by being ungenerous in carbon emission were awarded as the Low Carbon Heroes by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) at the 4th Istanbul Carbon Summit organized with the support of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and hosted by Istanbul Technical University (ITÜ). 19 corporations were awarded by SÜT-D in the contest that included 42 candidate projects with reduced carbon emissions. 2017 Low Carbon Heroes received their awards from Dr. Oğuz Can, Renewable Energy General Manager at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Carbon-stingy corporations are important for our climate change resistant world
“Our good old world expects us to fight the climate change. Carbon-stingy corporations are important for our climate change resistant world. It is a must for our industry to proceed in the low carbon economy. Now in its third year, this award was given to carbon-stingy corporations who not only think of today but also of tomorrow and proceed with a sustainable management strategy,” ITU Faculty Member and SÜT-D President Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu said. Standing out in the applications were energy companies and the projects implementing energy efficiency in the industry.
“The Low Carbon Heroes of the energy, chemical, and food sectors, as well as of the local administrations not only stood out for their successful technical implementations but also for their carbon reduction themed training sessions and awareness-raising efforts contributing to SÜT-D’s activity of bringing in a sustainability lifestyle culture and, in the end, (these heroes) became (our) partners,” said Prof. Karaosmanoğlu underlining that SÜT-D is proud of 2017 Low Carbon Heroes.
Companies and municipalities competed to become the low carbon heroes
Among the low carbon heroes are Akiş Group for its İncesu Wind Energy Plant and Influencing the Local Project, Bereket Energy for its Arnaz Wind Power Plant, Gama Energy for its LAMAS III-IV Hydroelectric Plant Carbon Trading and Social Responsibility Project, Enervis for its project Waste Water Heat Recovery in the Textile Sector, EY Turkey with its slogan “First We Are Reducing Our Carbon Footprint”, Ege Agricultural Energy for its green charcoal production from bagasse, Samsun Avdan for contributing to the carbon management awareness with its Transformation Museum, and Kolza Recycling for its “Collect Vegetable Waste Oil and Reduce Carbon” project. Clean Energy Foundation (TEMEV) was also picked as a low carbon hero for the results of its “Green Economy Project in Villages.” Zorlu Energy was also among the low carbon heroes for its project “Our Energy is for Children” providing 8,000 primary education students with education sets, books, games, and theaters and for its book “Carbon Footprint with Zorlu.”
Shell Turkey and Vestel White Goods were also picked as low carbon heroes. Shell Turkey won the title for its project supporting the education of people with disabilities through waste heat recovery and green funding while Vestel White Goods won the title for reducing carbon footprint by ensuring energy efficiency through pressure optimization in paint shop pumps. Bursa Metropolitan Municipality for its “Bursa Light Rail System Stage II Project” reducing the greenhouse gas, Kartal Municipality for its “Thin Excuse Sapling Distribution Project,” and Istanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Establishments (İETT) for its “Science Line Project” were also awarded. Halkbank was also given the same award for its project “Let’s Pass Our Energy Down to the Future.” Sütaş for its waste-derived energy output application from farms to tables and BD Turkey for its greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate flexibility boost applications in life sciences and medical technology operations, as well as throughout value chain also became low carbon heroes. Last but not least, Organik Kimya was another one of the low carbon heroes. The company reduced its carbon footprint with its wastewater sewage sludge dehydration project boasting Turkey’s first heated press technology.
A NGO was also among those awarded for their success in waste management
This year SÜT-D also picked a non-governmental organization as a Low Carbon Hero with its own follow-up and evaluation. Whole Waste and Environmental Management Association (TAYÇED) was picked as a Low Carbon Hero for being a pioneer and spokesperson in waste management and carbon reduction.
