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11 February 2025

Türkiye has prepared its “National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan”. Prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the “National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan” was finalized at a closing ceremony held in Ankara. Director of Climate Change Prof. Halil Hasar also attended the closing event.

Within the scope of the Technical Assistance for Assessment of Türkiye’s Potential for Transition to a Circular Economy (DEEP Project), which has shaped the country’s vision for moving from a linear to a circular economy, four technical study visits were carried out and 15 assessment reports were developed. The “National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan” was developed through trainings and workshops attended by more than 2,000 participants. Speaking at the closing ceremony in Ankara, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Fatma Varank indicated that the plan would play an important role in achieving Türkiye’s net zero emission targets. Deputy Minister Varank noted that the model not only supports sustainable resource management but also offers opportunities for innovative business models and job creation.

Referring to Türkiye’s environmental sustainability efforts, Deputy Minister Varank underlined that the Zero Waste Project, launched in 2017 under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, the spouse of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is one of the most tangible examples of these efforts. Deputy Minister Varank emphasized that the “National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan”, which was prepared as part of the DEEP Project, will play an important role in Türkiye’s progress toward its zero-emission target, saying: “Within the scope of our project, we have prepared a National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan tailored specifically to our country. This model not only supports sustainable resource management; it also offers innovative business models and opportunities for job creation. We will achieve this transformation hand in hand with all our stakeholders—from industrialists and academics to civil society organizations and our youth.”

The closing event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Head of the European Union Delegation to Türkiye Thomas Hans Ossowski, and Director General of Environmental Management Fatih Turan.