The key facts

  • UNIDO: green hydrogen development requires global cooperation and industrial applications
  • UNIDO's cooperation with Turkey on hydrogen has been ongoing since 2004
  • H2DER sees Turkey as a key partner for Europe in green hydrogen

Session at the climate conference in Antalya

At the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, a special session was held dedicated to international cooperation and the opportunities of green hydrogen and its derivatives in Turkey. The moderator was H2DER Secretary General Fatih Kuşçu; the discussion featured Petra Schwager, head of UNIDO's 'Hydrogen in Industry' programme, H2DER President Yusuf Günay, Biga Hydrogen co-founder Murat Aşı, and Akfen Renewable Energy board member Pelin Akın.

UNIDO's position: domestic needs first

Schwager emphasized that the key conditions for the mass adoption of green hydrogen are global cooperation and concrete industrial applications. According to her, policy should primarily address domestic needs, and the integration of small producers and low-income exporters into the global market is possible only after domestic alignment. She also noted that UNIDO's cooperation with Turkey on hydrogen matters began in 2004 and has evolved from an initial focus on transport to a broader industrial strategy.

Turkey as a supplier for Europe

Yusuf Günay stated that Turkey's wind and solar energy allows the country to become a key partner for Europe in green hydrogen supplies; according to him, work is underway to turn Turkish-German cooperation into commercial investments. He called the use of surplus renewable energy to power electrolyzers vitally important and indicated that Turkey's competitiveness would be strengthened by flexible electricity tariffs, direct incentives, and long-term purchase agreements.