Garanti BBVA Focuses on Financing the Energy and Transportation Transition at COP31
BBVA and Garanti BBVA welcomed representatives from various industries to their joint pavilion on the summit’s second day for discussions on energy and transportation. The sessions underlined the need to develop financing, technology and infrastructure together to accelerate investment in the transition.
On the second day of COP31 in Antalya, BBVA and Garanti BBVA hosted discussions at their joint pavilion in the Green Zone on electric mobility, charging infrastructure, energy storage, industrial efficiency and low-carbon manufacturing.
One of the highlights of the event was the panel ‘Financing the Sustainable Mobility Transition,’ moderated by World Economic Forum representative Francisco Betti, with Garanti BBVA CEO Mahmut Akten and Togg CEO Gürcan Karakaş. The discussion explored how integrating Togg’s Trumore platform with Garanti BBVA Mobile improves the digital vehicle financing experience.
Mahmut Akten: “Investing in the ecosystem matters as much as financing vehicle purchases”
Akten emphasized that expanding electric mobility requires new financing models alongside technological advances and adequate infrastructure.
“Garanti BBVA offers financing solutions for electric and hybrid vehicles. Through our integration with Togg’s Trumore platform, eligible business clients can complete the vehicle loan process digitally, without visiting a branch,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of considering charging infrastructure, operating expenses, and total cost of ownership, as well as vehicle purchase prices. Flexible repayment plans, leasing and usage-based models could improve accessibility, while charging networks and battery investments require financing aligned with project payback periods and cash flows.
“Green financing does not automatically mean lower costs. Funding conditions and project risk profiles remain decisive,” he added.
Energy efficiency and industrial competitiveness
The panel ‘Investing in the Energy Transition: Boosting Industrial Competitiveness,’ moderated by Garanti BBVA Sustainability Director İrem Barzilay, brought together Akten, Asian Development Bank Private Sector Operations Director General Isabel Chatterton, Ivy Decarb Marketplace CEO Javier Bernal and UNO Chairman and CEO Federico Caruncho.
Discussions focused on how energy efficiency and low-carbon manufacturing investments can improve productivity, reduce costs, and boost international competitiveness.
Akten underscored the need to consider technological feasibility, expected energy savings and repayment capacity together, with financing terms aligned with investment payback periods and cash flows.
Examples included €13 million in financing for UNO’s production line modernization under Garanti BBVA’s framework agreement with Spain’s ICO, signed in November 2025 for up to $100 million, and equipment financing for textile suppliers through Ivy Decarb.
Chatterton cited long-term financing and risk sharing, while industry representatives shared their experiences with efficiency and technology investments.
İrem Bazilay, Mahmut Akten, Isabel Chatterton, Javier Bernal and Federico Caruncho.
Financing greener logistics
Another session, ‘Sustainable Mobility and Logistics: Leading the Green Transition,’ featured Garanti BBVA Executive Vice President for Commercial Banking Cemal Onaran and Tırsan Trailer Board Member Zeynep Nuhoğlu.
Onaran underlined the importance of technical guidance and expertise alongside financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Nuhoğlu discussed developments in lightweight, efficient trailers and electrification solutions.
Cross-industry collaboration to drive the transition
Throughout COP31, BBVA and Garanti BBVA will continue bringing stakeholders together to exchange expertise, connect investment opportunities in Türkiye with international financing partners and turn partnerships established at the summit into concrete investments.