The IAEE COP 2026 Symposium, organized by the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) and with Anadolu Agency as the Global Communication Partner, continues at a hotel in Belek Tourism Center.
Kumbaroğlu, who made evaluations to the AA correspondent at the 5th Eurasian Energy and Sustainability Conference within the scope of the symposium, emphasized that even the Bavarian state of Germany, which has the highest potential in solar energy, has less heating duration and intensity than the Black Sea, which is the region with the lowest potential in Türkiye.
Kumbaroğlu stated that Türkiye has provided a significant economic opportunity in the spread of renewable energy technologies, and pointed out that Türkiye not only produces wind turbines or solar panels but also has the potential to export them.
Pointing out that the transition to low-carbon energy production is of vital importance not only for the energy sector but also for the entire economy, Kumbaroğlu made the following evaluations:
"When Europe, one of our most important trading partners, activates the carbon regulation mechanism at the border, we have to look at the carbon footprints of the products produced in Türkiye, because if this rate is high, there is an additional cost in exports. In addition to the environmental dimension, there is also an economic dimension. Making electricity production low-carbon on a national basis will allow our industrialists who use this energy to switch to low-carbon production."
Stating that the 1.5 and 2 degree targets are behind us in order to prevent global warming, and that scenarios of 3 degrees and above will mean climate disasters and much greater economic costs for the world, Kumbaroğlu stated that this process should be implemented quickly with the cooperation of all countries.
Referring to the importance of including countries with large emission volumes such as the USA, China and India in the international coalition, Kumbaroğlu concluded his words as follows:
"Today, China has become the world's production base and there is a very serious sustainable energy move. Chinese manufacturers are establishing charging station production factories abroad, as in Moldova, and it is envisaged that they will be operated with sustainable energy sources. The presence of China, one of the countries with the largest emission volume in the world, here gives hope. Our wish is that the USA also joins this coalition."
Emphasis on renewable energy and electrification from Moldova
Carolina Novac, Minister of State for Carbon Reduction of the Republic of Moldova and Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Energy Committee, also reminded that there are already quite a few agreed upon targets, and touched upon the targets of tripling renewable energy capacity or doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
Stating that the work done by the Turkish Presidency at COP31 was great, Novac congratulated the organizers and the hosting venue.
Touching on concrete targets, Novac noted that the "Electricity 35 by 35" target, which means ensuring that the electricity sector has a 35 percent share in the energy mix by 2035, is ambitious at the global level.
Stating that this process is considered natural in his country, Moldova, Novac said:
"In my country, Moldova, we are already seeing this process naturally because we do not have fossil fuels. What we are already seeing is that electricity is gaining a slow but steady pace in the electrification of the mobility sector, I would even say fast in 2026, and electric vehicles are becoming increasingly widespread. I think we have reached 10 thousand electric vehicles this year, or even exceeded this number. Considering that we have a population of 2.4 million, this is a great figure. But more needs to be done, more cooperation and more effort. It is necessary."
Emphasizing that the European Union has always been a pioneer in climate action and policies aimed at protecting the world against global warming, Novac stated that Moldova, a candidate country for the EU, has transposed all European legislation into domestic law. Giving an example about the renewable energy consumption target in the electricity sector, Novac said, "We had a 30 percent target for 2030. Now guess what? We are reaching this target this year. That is, we are reaching 30 percent in 2026 and we are on a very good track." he said.
Stating that Moldova, as a small country, has faced crises such as price volatility, high natural gas and oil prices and Russia's energy blackmail in the past, Novac added that they managed to survive with EU support.
