Adaptation through Water 2025

Project brief: The Büyük Menderes River Basin is an industrial and agricultural hub in southwestern Türkiye. Denizli Province supplies 60% of the nation’s home textile exports, while Aydın Province accounts for 14% of its cotton production. However, intensive water use, untreated industrial discharge and declining groundwater levels have threatened the region’s water security and ecosystems. WWF-Türkiye’s Water Stewardship Programme in the Büyük Menderes Basin began by raising awareness of water risks in the textile supply chain and the need for cleaner production. It then fostered strong regional partnerships to reduce environmental impacts and restore freshwater ecosystems. By 2030, the goal is to scale-up successful pilot projects and secure long-term policy, financial and technical support for a more sustainable textile supply chain in the region and beyond. WWF-Türkiye, in partnership with Denizli’s Chamber of Commerce and the South Aegean Development Agency, launched the “textile cleaner production programme” in Denizli in 2018. Initially, the programme focused on raising awareness and enhancing technical capacity in cleaner production. WWF-Türkiye created a Cleaner Production Guide for the Textile Sector and trained over 30 textile companies. Feasibility studies at 14 textile companies demonstrated the economic viability of cleaner production technologies. Building on this, the South Aegean Development Agency launched a “cleaner production investment support programme”, offering grants covering up to 50% of investment costs in 2019. The programme led to a total investment of 17.8 million TL (€3 million), enabling six textile companies to save 570,000 cubic metres of water and 200,000 kWh of energy. Additionally, five textile dyehouses achieved up to 75% water recycling through their joint wastewater treatment facility. In 2022, The Chamber of Commerce launched the “Denizli’s future is in cleaner production” project, supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Industry. Out of 42 textile companies in Denizli’s dyeing and finishing sector, 40 participated, reflecting strong interest in sustainable practices. Feasibility analyses conducted at these 40 companies showed that an investment of €15.5 million could save €12.2 million annually, highlighting the economic benefits of cleaner production. With the launch of a new support programme by the Ministry of Industry in 2024, development agencies are now able to subsidize the interest on bank loans obtained by companies. Building on this opportunity, WWF-Türkiye, Denizli’s Chamber of Commerce and the South Aegean Development Agency are exploring the potential of a blended finance model for the 40 textile companies. This model would aim to reduce financial barriers for companies investing in cleaner production technologies. The initiative will be piloted in Denizli, leveraging the region’s strong industrial base and commitment to sustainability. If successful, the blended finance scheme could be scaled-up and adapted to other textile-producing regions, paving the way for broader adoption of sustainable practices across Türkiye’s textile value chain. Why is this case innovative? –The programme adopted a blended finance approach, leveraging public-private funding for green investments in cleaner production. –It featured a multi-stakeholder approach to governance, in which brands, manufacturers and local authorities collaborated on water security. How is this example relevant to Southeast Asia’s water adaptation challenges? –The textile industries in Viet Nam and Indonesia are similarly water-intensive and this approach could prove beneficial to those countries. –This project demonstrates how public-private funding can support investment in cleaner production. –The project illustrates the possibilities and benefits of industrial water reuse and sustainable supply chain transformation. What opportunities does this illustrate for the private sector? –Wastewater reuse and a circular water economy work – more models for these approaches can be developed. –There is a promising market for smart water monitoring, AI-driven treatment systems and compliance enforcement tools and services. –Financing opportunities include green credit and sustainability-linked loans for textile manufacturers. Source: WWF.CASE STUDY 5 The Büyük Menderes water stewardship and cleaner production support programme: a circularity strategy for addressing pollution and shortage Adaptation through Water: Mobilizing the Private Sector for Climate Adaptation in Southeast Asia 23