Sustainability is increasingly a key demand from consumers, markets, and policymakers, as well as a major opportunity for business growth. Within the framework of the Türkiye–EU Business Dialogue II (TEBD II) project, Eurochambres, in close partnership with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), held a webinar on “Sustainable Growth Opportunities for Turkish SMEs” on July 13th.
Overall, 480 people registered for the webinar and approximately 320 people attended the event. This webinar was organized as part of the TEBD II Sustainable Growth Support Programme aiming at steering sustainability transition of the Turkish private sector through the support of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.
This online event was opened by Ms. Pinar Erdil, TEBD II Director/Eurochambres who welcomed participants and recalled the importance of green transition for EU-Türkiye cooperation. Ms. Tuğçe Duru Kaya, Expert at the EU Foreign Relations Department of TOBB, underlining the role of chambers and commodity exchanges in providing the SMEs with the access to sustainability information and tools.
Ms. Maria Carla Lostrangio, Capacity Building Expert at TEBD II/Eurochambres, introduced the Sustainable Growth Support Programme, aiming at building Turkish private sector’s capacity on sustainability. The programme trained 24 representatives from Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges to provide customized advice to companies in Türkiye.
As part of this Support Programme, the TEBD II self-assessment tool was developed by four international experts. Ms. Asuman Sönmez, one of these TEBD II Sustainable Growth Expert, presented the tool conceived for Turkish businesses and consisting of dedicated sections on environment (E), society (S), governance (G). She noted that 64 companies which completed the survey show that 72% in the development and practitioner stages. She urged SMEs to honestly map their free sustainability roadmaps, prepare for legal framework impacts and access green financing. The tool will stay open until July 31st, and then data analysis and conclusions will be summarised in a Final Report by October 2026.
The webinar gave the floor to rich presentations from high-level speakers on policy development and opportunities for companies. Ms. Antonija Božič Cerar, Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Eurochambres’ Sustainability Chair, outlined the evolution of the EU’s sustainability approach from localised end of pipe waste management to the comprehensive European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Pan. The incoming mandatory digital product passports, eco-design regulations for materials like steel and aluminium, and the mechanics of Extended Producer Responsibility transitioning from fragmented national directives into uniform EU market regulations.
Ms. Elif Berrak Taşyürek, Head of the EU Single Market and Green Deal Department at the of Ministry of Trade, detailed the operation and timeline of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). She noted that while the phase began in October 2023 for 6 key sectors like iron-steel, aluminium, cement, electricity and hydrogen. January 2026 marks the period where actual emissions must be thoroughly monitored, reported and verified. She emphasised that while official financial adjustments and certificate purchases begin in 2027, EU importers are already writing these obligations into contracts.
Mr. Faith Dedeoglu, Economist, Directorate General for Climate Finance and Incentives, Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change of Türkiye, announced the upcoming technical framework for the Turkish Green Taxonomy Regulation, which is finalised and expected to be published in October 2026. The taxonomy defines green standards across 16 sectors and 137 economic activities to prevent greenwashing and standardise banking, capital and insurance systems. He noted that financial institutions will soon be legally required to report their “Green Asset Ratio”. He also indicated the raising relevance of green finance in driving sustainability investment for the private sector.
Ms. Gulsah Gunay, Head of Sustainability Standards at the Turkish Public Oversight Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority, summarised and explained the implementation on mandatory Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS) which became active on January 1, 2024. This applies to approximately 400 large scale regulated companies meeting strict assets, revenue and employee thresholds. She clarifies while it directly targets massive enterprises, it also directly pulls SMEs into reporting because large cooperations must audit their upstream and downstream supply chains.
The session was concluded by a questions and answers session with the speakers. The session focused on the impact of CBAM on different sectors (e.g. medical, food, beverage, packaging, paper and chemicals) and their specific timeline. Additionally, other questions focused on carbon credits and the dissemination channels used by different Ministries to inform private sectors on policy updates.