Green Loans: How Can Companies Benefit?

With the impact of climate change, tightening carbon regulations, and the European Green Deal, the green transformation of companies in Turkey has now become an unavoidable necessity. But how will this transformation be financed? Here are two important instruments that enable businesses to access low-cost transformation opportunities: green loans and sustainability-focused grant programs.

Green Loans: Why are They Important for Companies?

Green loans are loans provided solely to support projects that generate environmental benefits. Projects such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction, renewable energy investments, waste transformation, and electric vehicle fleet transformation are evaluated within this scope. For this reason, banks want to see the current environmental performance and the roadmap of the applying company.

How to Obtain Green Loans in Turkey?

Obtaining a green loan is not complex, but companies need to make certain basic preparations:

1. Prepare Carbon Footprint and Energy Data

Banks first want to see the current status of the company.

• Scope 1–2–3 carbon footprint

• Energy consumption

• Fuel, electricity, refrigerant gas, waste data

• Efficiency indicators

Companies that possess this data not only secure loans faster but also face better interest conditions.

2. Define Your Project Clearly

Green loans do not cover every investment. The sustainable impact of the project must be clear.

Example investment areas:

• Solar power plant

• Rooftop SPP projects

• Energy-efficient motor, boiler, compressor investments

• Waste heat recovery

• Water efficiency technologies

• EV vehicle fleet transformation

3. Set Performance Targets

Banks generally look at the following metrics:

• Reduction in energy intensity

• Reduction in water consumption

• Decrease in carbon emissions

• Increasing the waste recycling rate

4. Compliance with European and national sustainability regulations

Especially for exporting firms:
Compliance with standards such as CBAM, SBTi, TCFD, ISO 14064 creates a major advantage.

Grants Offered in Addition to Green Loans in Turkey

While green loans provide low-interest financing, grants significantly reduce the cost of investments by offering non-refundable support. Many institutions in Turkey offer grant support for green transformation projects.

Below are the most up-to-date grant mechanisms that companies can directly benefit from.

1. TÜBİTAK Grants

TÜBİTAK provides strong support for projects in the field of sustainability and green technology.

Areas of support:

• Energy efficiency

• Clean production

• R&D for carbon reduction

• Innovative environmental technologies

Featured programs and grant rates:

• 1501 Industrial R&D Program – 60–75% grant

• 1507 SME R&D Start-up Support Program – 75% grant

• 1831 Green Innovation and Technology Mentorship Program – 90% grant

• Green Deal special calls – 60–75% grant

2. KOSGEB – Green Industry Support Program

One of the most preferred grants by SMEs.

Support topics:

• Energy efficiency

• Clean production

• Waste reduction

• Carbon reduction through digitalization

• Green energy investments

The grant amount can go up to 1 million TL depending on the project.

3. Efficiency-Enhancing Projects (VAP) – Ministry of Industry and Technology

This program is one of the important non-refundable supports offered in recent years for companies' energy efficiency investments. It covers a wide range of projects from engine, pump, and compressor modernization to waste heat recovery, improvements in compressed air systems to building energy efficiency applications. In this way, businesses can both lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint, thereby accelerating their sustainable transformation. The support rate generally varies in the range of 30–40%

4. International Funds: EBRD, Horizon Europe, UNDP

TurSEFF – Credit + grant for SMEs

Supported by the EBRD in energy efficiency investments.
In some projects, a small-scale grant component is provided when using credit.

Horizon Europe

High-budget European grants for carbon reduction, circular economy, and clean energy projects.

UNDP Calls

Clean energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, climate adaptation projects.

5. Development Agencies

Support calls themed "Green Transformation" are regularly opened in Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Ankara, and other regions.

Supported areas:

• Low-carbon production

• Water and energy efficiency

• Waste reduction

• Renewable energy applications

Grant rates range between 50–90%.

Green Finance Transforms into a Competitive Advantage in Turkey

Both green loans and grants provide powerful opportunities to accelerate the sustainability journey of companies in Turkey.
For companies exporting to the European market or performing carbon-intensive production, these financing models are no longer a preference; they have become a mandatory preparation.

With correct data management, a clear transformation roadmap, and the appropriate financing model, companies can:

• reduce their costs,

• manage their carbon risks,

• increase their competitiveness,

• ensure compliance with international standards.

QuickCarbon provides support in auditing carbon emissions by delivering outputs in compliance with criteria such as the ISO 14064-1:2018 Standard and the GHG Protocol. Along with its user-friendly software, features such as web-based access, instant reporting, and easy data entry make it possible to manage this process easily. While defining your corporate sustainability strategies, you can also get in contact with QuickCarbon and manage this process in a planned and professional manner.