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25 February 2025
Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced via social media that Türkiye’s first Climate Law proposal, which has been submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT), “will bring new momentum to Türkiye’s fight against climate change.”
The draft law comprises 20 articles, two provisional articles, and amendments to three separate laws, through which the mandate, authorities, and responsibilities of the Directorate of Climate Change are formally defined. The law also mandates the preparation of local and national action plans designed to minimize the impacts of the climate crisis on the economy, cities, and critical sectors, particularly agriculture and food. In order to strengthen the international competitiveness of domestic industries, the law places cleaner and more efficient production models under statutory protection. The proposal also provides for the establishment of the Green Taxonomy of Türkiye and the launch of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Green technologies will be integrated into school curricula nationwide. With the submission of the draft law to the GNAT Presidency last week, Türkiye formally established overarching legal principles governing its climate policy framework. In a social media post detailing the content of the bill, Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated, "Türkiye's 'First Climate Law' will bring a fresh perspective to our fight against climate change."
The proposal emphasizes equality, climate justice, precaution, participation, integration, sustainability, transparency, just transition, and progress. Governmental institutions and organizations, as well as individuals and legal entities, will be required to comply with measures and regulations taken in the interest of the public and to implement them on time. The bill aims to make the economy resilient to climate-induced negative impacts. A legal framework will be established to ensure a cleaner and more efficient production process, boosting the international competitiveness of sectors. The bill not only addresses the industrial sectors but also takes a comprehensive approach to protect cities, agriculture, livestock, and green spaces.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTORATE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The proposal outlines the responsibilities of the Directorate of Climate Change. Inter-institutional coordination, activities, and standards will be determined by the Directorate. It will monitor progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Directorate will also be tasked with regulating market-based mechanisms related to carbon pricing. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) will be established by the Directorate, and allocations will be distributed under this system.
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ACTION PLANS TO BE DEVELOPED
Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced in line with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Net Zero Emissions Target, and the strategies and action plans published by the Directorate of Climate Change. These plans will be developed, implemented, and monitored periodically at the national level.
CLIMATE CHANGE PROVINCIAL COORDINATION BOARDS TO BE CREATED
A Provincial Climate Change Coordination Board will be established in each province, led by the governor and consisting of representatives from relevant institutions and organizations, as well as local authorities. The working procedures and principles of the Board will be determined by the Ministry. Local Climate Change Action Plans will be formulated by the end of 2027, with the Ministry having the authority to extend this deadline by one year.
LOCAL PLANS TO BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF GOVERNORS
Local climate change action plans, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, will be drawn up under the coordination of the governor. In metropolitan cities, these plans will be prepared by the metropolitan municipality, and in other provinces, by the provincial municipality and the special provincial administration, with input from the relevant organizations and agencies. These plans will be submitted to the Provincial Climate Change Coordination Board for approval. Sectoral vulnerability and risk analyses will be prepared and updated periodically using climate models, serving as the basis for strategy and action plans.
TÜRKİYE'S GREEN TAXONOMY TO BE ESTABLISHED
The Directorate of Climate Change will prepare national, sectoral, and thematic reports. To facilitate the steering of financial resources, the Directorate will develop climate change incentive mechanisms and establish and manage Türkiye's Green Taxonomy. Within the framework of circular economy goals and zero waste practices, the reuse of products, use of waste as by-products or alternative raw materials, and the mandatory usage rates of products obtained through recycling and recovery will be defined.
CARBON BORDER ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM
The establishment of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tasked with addressing the embedded greenhouse gas emissions of goods imported into Türkiye’s customs territory, will become feasible. The reporting, scope, content, procedures, and principles related to CBAM will be determined by the Ministry of Trade in coordination with other relevant ministries.
USE OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGY TO BE SCALED UP
Increasing the technological self-sufficiency capacities of the planning and implementation tools developed by relevant institutions will be prioritized, with a focus on the advancement and widespread adoption of clean technologies. The Directorate will be entitled to collaborate with the relevant organizations in tracking new technological developments, such as carbon capture and storage technologies and hydrogen technologies, which would support efforts to tackle climate change, as well as to develop projects in these areas. It will also be authorized to provide guidance to these organizations in their activities within these fields and to coordinate with the relevant bodies. Research and practice centers may be established in cooperation with relevant institutions affiliated with the Directorate.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN TRANSITION TO BE INCLUDED IN SCHOOL CURRICULA
To raise public awareness and make society more sensitive to the effects of climate change, education and awareness raising programs will be organized. The Ministry of National Education, in coordination with other relevant ministries, will update the curricula and teaching programs at all education levels and ensure the training of a green workforce. The principles and procedures for these actions will be determined by governmental organizations, in consultation with the Ministry.
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS, FOOD SECURITY, AND NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
To ensure food security through climate-resilient crop patterns, nature-based solutions that balance the protection and utilization of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity will be promoted and scaled up. Climate-resilient practices will be widespread, and risk assessment, monitoring, information, and early warning systems will be developed based on integrated disaster management principles to reduce losses and damages caused by climate-related disasters.
WATER MANAGEMENT AND BALANCING LAND DEGRADATION
To achieve the net-zero emissions target, measures will be taken by relevant institutions to prevent carbon sink losses in forests, agriculture, pastures, and wetlands. Effective management of water resources in the face of climate change impacts will be ensured. The quality and area of marine and terrestrial protected areas will be increased.
ACTION PLANS TO BE PREPARED BY DECEMBER 31, 2027
The preparation and adaptation obligations for the implementation and planning tools outlined in the bill will be fulfilled by the relevant organizations and agencies no later than December 31, 2027. The President will have the authority to extend this period by up to one year.