Sustainable development requires intellectual, healthy and productive communities. TSKB believes that this could only be possible with deliberative and conscious societies.
In line with this belief, the Bank adopted a social responsibility mission to create awareness and sensitivity on behalf of the society about issues like climate change that constitute risks for the future of the humankind.
Social responsibility projects form one of the bases of TSKB’s sustainable banking philosophy.
TSKB has undersigned one of the broadest social responsibility projects executed in Turkey with ‘environment’ theme by taking advantage of its corporate competencies and communication network.
Sustainable banking approach is integrated efficiently in TSKB’s social responsibility projects.
| TSKB Memorial Forest: 46 thousand saplings have grown and are turning green to a hopeful future... |
With the sincere belief in the vital importance of forests TSKB planted 46,000 trees to support the Afforestation activities and to celebrate its 46th establishment anniversary in 1996, creating the “TSKB Memorial Forest”. The saplings located in Rumeli Feneri, Sarıyer, Istanbul have grown in 13 years and turned to be symbols of hope for the future. |
‘Environment is Our Priority’ is a long lasting and comprehensive social responsibility project that aims to form different platforms to increase the awareness level on environment in Turkey.
Since its first inception in 2007, the project has continued to develop with various activities and sponsorships and in the meantime the Bank has taken its place intensely at environmental platforms.
| The main events within the context of ‘Environment is Our Priority’ project | ||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
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Summary of activities and events within the context of ‘Environment is Our Priority’
Sculpture Competition titled ‘Environment is Our Priority’
In cooperation with Mimar Sinan University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, students’ works of art with Environment as the theme competed and the winners were given mentions at the ceremony arranged at TSKB’s Garden of Eden.
Sculpture competition
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‘Environment is Our Priority with TSKB’ Conference
The ‘Environment is Our Priority with TSKB’ Conference which took place on December 5, 2007, brought the international finance houses and the business world together for a livable environment and sustainable development.
The conference brought senior representatives of The World Bank (IBRD), European Investment Bank (EIB), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB) together with Turkish business world. International and Turkish investment experts brought up the opportunities of financing environmental investments and shared samples of successful projects with their suggestions for the future.
The moderator of the conference was Mr. Yavuz Canevi, one of the former presidents of Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of TEB.
The opening address was made by Ersin Özince, President of TBB (The Banks Association of Turkey) and CEO of İş Bankası who mentioned the importance of realistic solutions to preserve environment without excluding to grow and develop and said “Our investors need to be encouraged; they need to know the tools to preserve environment while investing. Today, economic growth and employment are realized by private sector all around the world. In this respect, private sector holds an important role for environmental sustainability and to establish the mechanisms to effectuate this objective.”
‘Environment is Our Priority with TSKB’ Conference
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Day of Meeting Nature
TSKB the Day of Meeting Nature took place in Fenerbahçe Park on June 9, 2007, with interesting shows, presentations and concert of MARA.
Besides nongovernmental organizations like TEMA, TURMEPA, TÜRÇEK; ÇEKÜL and SAD, the event was supported by The Istanbul Municipality and The Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Hundreds of Istanbul residents spent a fine day in nature with this activity.
Day of Meeting Nature
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Cevreciyiz.com supported the 2nd Photography Festival at METU (Middle East Technical University)
In 2008, TSKB supported the photography festival organized by METU Alumni Association Photography Club in Istanbul. The festival was a great platform for photography lovers to meet the masters through workshops, chats, slide shows and exhibitions.
Akasya Summit Sponsorship
TSKB became the main sponsor of the 7th Akasya National Youth Environment Summit held at the Tuzla Campus of Sabancı University on April 18-20, 2008. The summit was organized in cooperation with The Turkish Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society (TÜRÇEK) and Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects (TDP) and brought together non-governmental organizations, university clubs and the youngsters working on environment by individual initiatives, on a democratic platform embracing different opinions. With the theme of ‘energy’, the relationship between energy and environment was discussed thoroughly during the summit.
Sponsorship of TEMA education CD
In 2008, TSKB sponsored the education CD named “Erosion, Nature and Environment” prepared by TEMA Foundation. The CD includes documentaries on Erosion, Nature and Environment, Global Warming and Climate Change, Ecosystem and biological diversity, Agriculture and Agricultural Applications, Aral Lake and Macahel.
Conference on Opportunities and Expectations on Renewable Energy
TSKB with the cooperation of Undersecretariat of the Treasury organized a conference in Istanbul entitled Opportunities and Expectations on Renewable Energy on October 24, 2008.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Güler and the Minister of Economy Mehmet Şimşek, CEO of TSKB Halil Eroğlu, President of European Investment Bank Phillipe Maystadt gave speeches and the important issue of renewable energy was discussed thoroughly throughout the conference.
Mr. Eroğlu mentioned that by activating the renewable energy projects financed in Turkey, 4 million tones of greenhouse gas emission would be prevented annually and this amount corresponds to more than 1% of Turkey’s greenhouse gas emission which was 330 million tons in 2006.
Conference on Opportunities and Expectations on Renewable Energy
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TSKB project in cooperation with TRT (Turkish Radio and Television) - 26 spots on environment
The spots called “Yemyeşil (So Green)” were prepared in cooperation with TSKB and TRT and were broadcast on the national channels of TRT from June 1, 2009 on. Among the issues covered were; climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency, how to decrease carbon footprint, domestic waste, waste and recycling, efficient energy usage, greenhouse gases and their effects, effects of global warming on Turkey, seas and pollution, clean water usage. TSKB supported the project also by providing content.
During 2008 and 2009 TSKB supported the following conferences, panels and workshops with its top managers participating as speakers to these events.
- On May15-17, 2008 – ICCI 2008-14th Energy and Environment Technology Systems Exhibition and Conference
- On May 28, 2008 – Small Enterprises and Big Businesses Conference by KfW and CEB
- On June 17-18, 2008 - The Turkey Finance and Investment Forum by Euromoney
- On June 24, 2008 – Panel on Financing Sustainability at Black Sea Region Countries by REC (Regional Environmental Center), University of Venice, Bilgi University and Italian Ministry of Environment
- On October 21, 2008 – Banking on Turkey Conference in London by Financial Times
- On November 27, 2008 – Conference on Renewable Energy Policies, Business and Finance Opportunities by Dünya Newspaper and KfW
- On January 15-16, 2009 – 1st International Energy Efficiency Forum
- On January 22, 2009 – UNEP Conference
- On May 13-15, 2009 – ICCI 2009-15th Energy and Environment Technology Systems Exhibition and Conference
- On May 21-22, 2009 – 2nd Conference on Financing Energy and Infrastructure in Turkey
- On May 27, 2009 – Symposium on Geothermal Energy by German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- On July 3, 2009 – 2nd International Energy and Value Conference by Hacettepe University
- On August 14, 2009 – International Carbon Markets Arena by STEAM
- On September 11, 2009 – Panel on Role of International Institutions on Financing Sustainable Development by REC
- On October 14, 2009 – Workshop on Environmental Sustainability of Small Hydroelectric Power Stations by KfW
- On October 21, 2009 – National Forum of TÜSİAD
- On October 31, 2009 – 3rd OSB (Industrial Zones) Energy Summit
- On November 5, 2009 – 5th Swiss-Turkish Economic Forum
- On November 12, 2009 – IWES Solid Waste Energy Production Symposium
- On November 22-23, 2009 – UNEP FI 2009 Global Roundtable Cape Town
ICCI 2008 and 2009
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| Sustainable support to culture and art |
TSKB has been supporting the Istanbul Music Festival since 1990, organized by Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation where TSKB is a founder member... |