• Bring the water quality from “low” to “good” status (according to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization standards), especially in highly polluted critical spots;
• Create a basin wide partnership with agreed conservation targets in key biodiversity areas; reduce water, chemicals and energy use in industry production; and establish government monitoring systems for private sector companies and civil society partner organizations;
• Contribute to the protection of freshwater habitats and species through effective wetland management and restoration.

Project Results

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SDGs;

SDG 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

SDG 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

SDG 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

SDG 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

Case 1: Developing Cleaner Production Guideline

In 2018, a dedicated “Cleaner Production Guide for Textile Sector” was developed in English and Turkish. Feasibility studies were conducted at 4 facilities in Denizli and Aydın to identify the potential for saving of water, energy and chemical use. In one factory, savings of 40km3/year of freshwater, 220 ton/year of chemicals and 7000 MWh (~4,500 barrels of oil) were estimated with cleaner production measures. For the 50 wet processing factories in Büyük Menderes, the total savings from applying these best practices could be ~ € 4 – 10 million/year through investment of ~ € 5 – 12 million, with investment fully recovered within 6 months – 2 years.

Case 2: Creating financial mechanisms to transform the Büyük Menderes Basin

Together with the Southern Aegean Development Agency (GEKA) of the Turkish government, WWF-Turkey has launched a program to encourage investment in cleaner production technologies among local suppliers in Büyük Menderes basin in 2018. In 2018, GEKA supported feasibility studies in Industrial Parks in the region, and in 2019 they launched the “Cleaner Production Support Program” to provide grant support to SMEs to invest in cleaner production technologies at facility level.

Case 3: Collective Action to Achieve Sustainability in the Textile Supply Chain

A comprehensive programme has been rolled out to ensure transformation of the textiles industry, including the creation of a national level dialogue on textiles sustainabiity issues. The Büyük Menderes case study has been shared with members of parliament from the region as an introduction to sustainable water management, and a ‘Brands Committee’ was created in 2019 in Istanbul, with 25 domestic and international brands participating to support a green transition for the textiles industry.