Overview and Main Objectives of the Action Plan

To determine Turkey’s climate change mitigation targets and provide comprehensive strategies and actions to achieve these targets, the 2024-2030 Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (CCMSAP) and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (CCASAP) have been prepared simultaneously and published in March 2024. CCMSAP details Turkey's policies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while CCASAP covers strategies to adapt to climate change and develop resilience against its impacts. Both plans were prepared with the participation of public institutions, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations, and include sector-specific targets and implementation steps across a wide range of sectors.

The Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) is a comprehensive roadmap that aims to reduce Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions. This plan includes measures such as increasing energy efficiency, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, adopting cleaner technologies in industrial processes, and expanding low-carbon solutions in transportation. The main goal is to reduce emissions to the determined levels by 2030, in accordance with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) aims to enhance Turkey's resilience to the impacts of climate change. This strategy focuses on sustainable management of water resources, ensuring agricultural and food security, reducing the risks of natural disasters, and adapting the health sector to climate change. The main goal is to make society and the economy more resilient to the adverse effects of climate change and support sustainable development.

These plans demonstrate Turkey's commitment to both reducing emissions and adapting to climate change in its fight against climate change.

Impacts of the Plan on Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Energy Transformation

Turkey's 2024-2030 Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (CCMSAP) and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (CCASAP) are two critical documents outlining the country's roadmap for sustainable development, combating climate change, and energy transformation. These plans guide Turkey's efforts to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

CCMSAP aims to reduce the carbon footprint in various sectors, including energy, industry, transportation, and waste management. In the energy sector, increasing investments in renewable energy sources and moving away from fossil fuels are among the top priorities. Expanding the use of solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy will significantly reduce carbon emissions while enhancing the country's energy security. In the industrial sector, the adoption of clean technologies and increasing energy efficiency are prioritized. Using less carbon-intensive processes and innovative technologies will reduce the industry's negative impact on climate change. In the transportation sector, encouraging electric and hybrid vehicles, developing public transportation systems, and implementing low-carbon transportation solutions are important steps to reduce carbon emissions in cities.

CCASAP covers various sectors such as agriculture, water management, health, disaster management, and ecosystem protection. In the agriculture sector, climate-resilient agricultural practices and crop diversification are encouraged to ensure food security. In water management, sustainable use of water resources and water-saving measures include strategies to reduce the risk of water scarcity due to climate change. In the health sector, it is necessary to strengthen health systems and adapt public health programs to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on human health. In disaster management, it is aimed to develop early warning systems against natural disasters caused by climate change and increase disaster management capacities. The protection of ecosystems and biodiversity is also a critical component of CCASAP. Protecting natural habitats and improving ecosystem services play an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability and creating a resilient environment against the impacts of climate change.

Both plans directly support achieving sustainable development goals. CCMSAP promotes environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also encouraging economic growth. Investments in renewable energy accelerate the transformation in the energy sector and ensure energy security. This transformation minimizes the environmental footprint of the energy sector by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. CCASAP aims to build resilience against the effects of climate change and increase societal resilience. Improvements in agriculture and water management support rural development and ensure food security. Measures taken in health and disaster management make communities more resilient in the face of climate change. These strategies make significant contributions to Turkey's adaptation to climate change and achieving sustainable development goals.

In conclusion, the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (CCMSAP) and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (CCASAP) include important steps towards Turkey's sustainable development, climate change, and energy transformation goals. By implementing these plans, Turkey aims to progress towards a more sustainable future both environmentally and economically.

Priority Sectors and Expected Outcomes

Upon reviewing the CCMSAP, it is seen that strategies have been developed and sector-specific targets set for seven sectors. These sectors can be listed as follows:

1. Energy
2. Industry
3. Buildings
4. Transportation
5. Waste
6. Agriculture
7. Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF)

Some of the most prominent goals expected to be achieved by the end of the 2024-2030 period on a sectoral basis are listed below:

Energy

• According to the Turkish National Energy Plan, the installed capacity of solar energy is targeted to reach 32,900 MW by increasing the installed capacity of renewable energy sources in electricity supply.
• The installed capacity of wind energy is targeted to reach 18,100 MW in line with the Turkish National Energy Plan. Innovative maintenance and repair techniques will focus on extending the service life of wind and solar power plants, and standards will be established for the environmentally friendly disposal of facilities at the end of their service life.
• The installed battery capacity is targeted to reach 2,100 MW.
• It is proposed to continue evaluating the economic potential of hydropower, considering economic, social, and environmental factors, and to include pumped storage hydropower (PSH) applications. The installed capacity is targeted to reach 35,100 MW.
• The total installed capacity of geothermal and biomass is targeted to reach 5,100 MW.
• According to the Turkish National Energy Plan, the installed capacity of nuclear energy is targeted to reach 4,800 MW in electricity supply. Within this scope, the grid emission factor, which was 0.437 kg CO2/kWh as of 2020, is planned to be reduced to 0.352 kg CO2/kWh with the newly created renewable energy installed capacity.
• R&D projects will be supported for the production, storage, distribution, and use of hydrogen.
• A roadmap will be created for carbon capture, utilization, and storage to reduce unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions.
• Increasing the skilled workforce and green jobs for energy transformation is targeted. Gender balance and equal opportunities will be considered in the provided training.
• The current technical loss level of approximately 12% is targeted to be reduced.

Industry

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy use will be increased in the manufacturing industry, and the carbon footprint will be reduced.
• It is aimed to carry out energy efficiency audits and benchmarks in emission and energy-intensive manufacturing sectors, and to determine the energy efficiency and savings potential by sector (iron-steel, cement, glass, etc.). It is aimed to disseminate measurement, monitoring, and verification systems to monitor energy efficiency performance and set accurate targets.
• Increasing the use of renewable energy (certified renewable energy-generated electricity) in industrial facilities' energy use is aimed.
• It is aimed to review the legislation on the use of alternative fuels and raw materials and to revise it to promote the use of wastes as resources.
• New techniques and innovative applications developed to reduce the product carbon footprint will be supported. Gender balance will be considered in project teams.
• It is aimed to review policies on the demand management of scrap metal, a critical input for the steel production sector, especially for electric arc furnace plants, from the perspective of reducing greenhouse gases.
• It is planned to prepare and implement a transition schedule for our country within the framework of the detailed transition schedule for mandatory sustainability reporting in the EU, which will extend to SMEs by 2027.
• It is aimed to establish a third-party assurance or verification system for the international recognition of sustainability reports.
• The Capital Markets Board's Sustainability Principles Compliance Framework will be updated in line with ISSB Standards and GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) to report the impact of sustainability risks and opportunities on business value and stakeholders in publicly traded companies.

Buildings

• Regional heating and cooling systems will be expanded, primarily in mass housing areas.
• Digital transformation in the construction ecosystem will be achieved.
• By 2030, all existing buildings will receive Energy Performance Certificates.
• At least half of the existing buildings will be upgraded to energy performance class C or higher.
• With the implementation of the National Green Certification System (YeS-TR), the use of environmentally friendly design and building materials will be promoted.
• Awareness-raising activities related to buildings within the Energy Efficiency Strategic Communication Plan will continue. The energy efficiency awareness index was measured as upper-middle level and 163.8 in 2021. This value is targeted to be increased to a high-low level. Awareness activities will continue by considering gender balance in training.
• By meeting the energy needs of buildings from energy-efficient and renewable energy sources, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced, and energy savings will be achieved. It is aimed to determine the potential of ground source heat pumps, produce GIS-based maps, and integrate renewable energy and waste heat sources into the map.

Transportation

• It is aimed to increase the network of high-speed and rapid train lines and shift transportation from road and air to rail.
• It is aimed to support and develop passenger transportation by sea within coastal cities.
• It is planned to establish Urban Transportation Demand Analysis Regions (KUTAB), where basic needs (education, health, work, etc.) are provided within a 15-20 minute access distance by public transportation.
• The implementation of the Turkey Card Project, which can be used in public transportation nationwide, is targeted.
• Accessibility of public transportation will be strengthened by ensuring the compliance of stops with accessibility standards, constructing bicycle paths, and supporting the infrastructure and sharing systems for micro-mobility vehicles such as bicycles and e-scooters.
• Public fleets (municipal buses, institution vehicles, etc.) will be replaced with low/zero-emission vehicles, as their vehicle-km values are much higher than private vehicles.
• The financing of the electric vehicle conversion of existing vehicles will be facilitated by converting them to work with electric motors/batteries.
• It is aimed to develop the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
• Research will be supported for alternative fuels such as LNG, hydrogen, methanol, etc., in addition to electric vehicles.

Waste

• It is targeted to increase the number and capacity of biological processing plants for the recovery of biodegradable waste and the amount of biodegradable waste sent to these plants. Primarily, it will be ensured that market and market wastes, park and garden wastes, and biodegradable wastes generated at food production facilities and sales points (retail, restaurants, food service) are sent to biological processing plants without mixing with other wastes.
• It is targeted to promote the separate collection of wastes at the source according to their types (biodegradable and other recyclable).
• It will be ensured that the efficiency of compost and fermented product production from biodegradable wastes is increased by promoting separate collection at the source.
• Non-recyclable wastes suitable for energy recovery will be processed using thermal technologies.
• It is planned to achieve a 90% collection rate with the deposit return system by 2030.
• It is targeted to increase the number and production capacity of RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) preparation plants for municipal wastes that are not suitable for recycling/recovery.
• Investments will be made to ensure that wastes are processed in waste processing facilities, and waste intake at irregular disposal sites will be terminated through monitoring and inspection activities.
• By increasing the efficiency and capacity of existing anaerobic digesters in wastewater treatment plants or establishing new facilities, it is targeted to increase the methane recovery rate in wastewater treatment plants.
• Within the framework of greenhouse gas reduction targets and circular economy principles, it is aimed to conduct R&D studies on the reuse of treated wastewater, material recovery from wastewater and sludge, reducing the amount of sludge produced at the facility, beneficial use of treatment sludge, and reducing greenhouse gases from wastewater treatment plants.
• Technologies that convert biogas obtained from biodegradable wastes into biomethane or biobutanol or hydrogen that can be used as biofuel or standard equivalent to natural gas will be developed.
• It is aimed to reduce the use of fossil fuels in waste collection and transportation.

Agriculture

• R&D studies will be conducted for research, identification, approval, and use of methane-suppressing feed additives in animal feed, and the use of approved additives will be ensured.
• Pastures will be improved to ensure the sustainable management of pasture-based livestock.
• It is targeted to develop and promote methods for the collection and evaluation of animal manure.
• Crop rotation, reducing fallow areas, and increasing the nitrogen content of the soil naturally will be promoted, and legume planting will be increased to give more place to plant-based protein in diets.
• R&D studies will be supported to develop alternative products to pesticides and antimicrobials, and registration processes for developed products will be expedited.

Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF)

• During the 2025-2030 period, it is targeted to achieve a yearly increase in the net carbon sequestration in the forest category (forest management) compared to the previous year and to have negative net emissions (tons CO2-equivalent sequestration) in the categories of agricultural lands and pastures.
• It is aimed to transition to a proactive, result-oriented, and watershed-scale approach in afforestation/rehabilitation/restoration, considering the integrity of ecosystems, and to create a watershed-based afforestation roadmap.
• It is planned to increase the effectiveness of regulations to limit human activities that could harm wildlife and ecosystems in urban forests, wetlands, and their surroundings.
• It is aimed to increase biomass and soil carbon sinks through river corridor restoration in settlement, agricultural, pasture, and wetland areas.
• Supporting the development of technologies such as digitization, precision monitoring, and drone use in forestry is targeted to increase the accuracy and precision of carbon stock and emission calculations.
• It is aimed to support drought-resistant origins and technological solutions that can tolerate the risk of increased frequency and severity of drought and the water shortage caused by rising temperatures.
• Developing and operationalizing prediction and early warning systems for drought, flood, forest fire, and landslide is planned.

Reviewing the CCASAP, it is seen that strategies have been developed for 11 sectors, and sector-specific targets have been set to adapt to climate change. These sectors can be listed as follows:

1. Urban
2. Water Resource Management
3. Agriculture and Food Security
4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
5. Public Health
6. Energy
7. Industry
8. Tourism and Cultural Heritage
9. Transportation and Communication
10. Social Development
11. Disaster Risk Reduction

Some of the most prominent goals expected to be achieved by the end of the 2024-2030 period on a sectoral basis are listed below:

Urban

• Climate risk considerations will be integrated into urban planning processes to develop disaster risk management strategies.
• Increasing green spaces and urban green infrastructure in cities, improving microclimate conditions, and strengthening ecosystem services are targeted.
• Energy and water efficiency in buildings will be increased, and green building certification systems will be promoted. Within this scope, the use of renewable energy will be expanded, and energy-efficient technologies will be supported.
• Climate-resilient transportation systems will be developed in cities, and sustainable transportation solutions such as public transportation and bicycle paths will be promoted.
• Efforts will be made to reduce water losses and improve water infrastructure in cities. Reducing water losses in drinking water supply and distribution systems is targeted.
• Rainwater harvesting and greywater use will be promoted in cities. Relevant legislation will be developed, and infrastructure investments will be made for this purpose.
• Green roof and wall applications, urban forestry, and other cooling methods will be implemented to reduce the urban heat island effect in cities.
• Waste management and recycling practices in cities will be strengthened, and waste amounts will be reduced by adopting circular economy principles.
• Urban agriculture and horticulture practices will be promoted, and sustainable agricultural methods will be widely implemented.

Water Resource Management

• Basin-scale management plans (protection, water allocation, flood, and drought management plans) will be prepared and implemented. The effectiveness of measures taken within these plans will be monitored and measured with various indicators.
• Monitoring and information systems for water and wastewater management will be developed, and inventories will be created for the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater resources.
• The implementation of the Water Efficiency Strategy Document and Action Plan will be monitored. This plan targets reducing water losses in drinking water systems and increasing water efficiency.
• Discharge standards will be updated and applied in all basins. Additionally, the reuse rate of treated wastewater will be increased to 15% by 2030.
• Water quality and levels of aquatic ecosystems will be monitored, water budgets will be prepared, and management plans will be created. Restoration of degraded wetlands and the creation of artificial wetlands will also be carried out within this scope.
• Modern methods in agricultural irrigation will be widely implemented, and irrigation efficiency will be increased. Additionally, the use of wastewater and drainage water in irrigation will be promoted.
• Protection areas for groundwater resources for drinking water purposes will be determined, groundwater withdrawals will be monitored, and the number of groundwater dams will be increased.
• Flood control measures will be implemented with nature-based solutions, early warning systems will be expanded, and drought prediction systems will be established.

Agriculture and Food Security

• To establish a climate-resilient and competitive agricultural sector that effectively uses technology, considers the water availability of the basin, and takes into account sustainable and competitive agricultural policies and legislation, they will be reviewed and updated.
• Education, awareness, and capacity-building activities will be widespread for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Protecting the characteristics of agricultural lands, pastures, and rural landscapes, monitoring pasture capacities and productivity, identifying and implementing options to help the water balance in pastures, and increasing productivity will be ensured.
• Sustainable aquaculture compatible with climate change will be promoted, the protection, development, and sustainable use of aquatic biodiversity will be ensured, and an invasive species control plan will be created for fisheries.
• Improving support for households and businesses engaged in beekeeping will be carried out.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• Legislation related to biodiversity and ecosystem services will be updated with a focus on nature conservation, and protected area categories will be harmonized with international standards, and cooperation and coordination between relevant institutions will be strengthened to ensure effective management in these areas.
• Projects will be carried out for identifying and cataloging all species in living classes, researching the interactions between climate change and biodiversity and ecosystem services, identifying critical species and habitats, understanding their ecologies and monitoring populations, identifying, monitoring, controlling (eradicating and managing) invasive alien species, and developing strategies and measures for these purposes.
• Contributions will be made to international efforts to increase the proportion of protected marine and terrestrial areas to 30% globally.
• The restoration of degraded and fragmented ecosystems will be carried out, and the ecological corridor will connect fragmented ecosystems nationwide.
• Increasing epidemiological research related to the physical, mental, and social impacts of climate change is targeted.
• Joint R&D studies with other sectors and disciplines will be increased to monitor, protect, prevent, and find early diagnosis methods for diseases (related to heat, cold, ultraviolet; water, air, food quality degradation; animal and vector-borne, emerging, re-emerging infectious; mental health) arising due to climate change.
• A climate-sensitive disease list will be prepared and used; climate-sensitive diseases will be identified nationwide, and a climate and health glossary will be prepared for disciplines and sectors.
• It is targeted for health facilities to receive climate-resilient facility accreditation.

Energy

• Vulnerability and risk analyses against sea level rise will be conducted for coastal energy facilities, and necessary measures will be taken.
• Measures will be taken to prevent damage to overhead electricity transmission-distribution infrastructure due to climate hazards.
• Measures will be taken to protect open lignite mines and stockpiles from climate hazards such as floods and heatwaves.
• To increase energy efficiency in buildings, starting from the building design, the use of new and efficient technology/devices will be ensured, and regional heating/cooling systems will be promoted.

Tourism and Cultural Heritage

• It will be ensured that tourism facilities are built to be resilient to climate risks, the existing ones will be transformed, and adaptation capacities will be increased.
• Guides will be prepared to identify climate risks for movable and immovable cultural heritage elements and areas and to determine priority intervention areas and needs.

Industry

• Technological risks and/or major industrial accident risks triggered by climate change-related disasters will be reassessed according to vulnerability and risk analyses based on climate projections.
• Risk analysis and emergency plans for each facility will be reviewed within the scope of climate change adaptation, and necessary updates will be made. Then, priority adaptation actions will be identified, and the determined actions will be implemented.
• The most vulnerable industrial sub-sectors to climate change will be identified, and adaptation guides will be prepared for these sectors.

Transportation and Communication

• Roads, railways, ports, and airports will be made resilient to climate change-related risks in line with climate projections for critical routes and infrastructure.
• Green and blue infrastructure and permeable surfaces and drainage facilities will be increased in urban settlements to reduce the impact of heatwaves.
• Air conditioning and ventilation systems will be installed in public transportation vehicles, school buses, and intercity buses and minibuses, and special and public transportation vehicle fleets will be renewed with materials and colors that do not allow high heat to pass through.
• Cool coating materials that reduce surface temperature will be used on highways and urban roads, tree-lined and sheltered vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian paths will be constructed, and landscape elements that increase fire risk will be replaced with suitable alternatives.

Social Development

• Social assistance and social service programs implemented within the framework of social protection policies will be developed considering the provinces with high social vulnerability to strengthen household resilience against the impacts of climate change and reduce vulnerability.
• Analyses will be conducted on how climate change affects the social lives of vulnerable groups (elderly, children, individuals with disabilities) and the entire population based on their different needs, and local government-supported development programs will be initiated considering the various needs of each population group.

Disaster Risk Reduction

• A Multi-Hazard Early Warning System, including prediction and intervention actions, will be developed to reach all segments of society.
• An insurance mechanism will be developed to cover losses and damages caused by climate change-related disasters, and the loss and damage detection process will be improved with the creation of the Turkey Loss and Damage Digital Platform.

References

• Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. (2024). Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan. Access link: https://iklim.gov.tr/eylem-planlari-i-19
• Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. (2024). Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. Access link: https://iklim.gov.tr/eylem-planlari-i-19