The unanimous acceptance of the climate law by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey marks a historic moment in Turkey's commitment to environmental sustainability and its fight against climate change. After a decade of negotiations and preparations, this is not just another piece of legislation; it is Turkey's first comprehensive climate law, signaling a significant shift in the country's strategic approach to environmental governance. The enactment of Turkey's climate law will redefine the country's approach to environmental responsibilities and expand its reach and impact across vital sectors, from energy to sustainable agricultural practices.

The Vision and Scope of the Turkey Climate Law

The Turkey climate law is designed to combat climate change through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and promote adaptation activities to build resilience to climate changes. The law establishes a robust legal and institutional framework by encompassing a wide range of tools for planning, implementation, revenue generation, permitting, and oversight. This holistic and forward-looking approach clearly underscores Turkey's urgency and seriousness in addressing the global climate crisis. 

The law itself provides clarity for national implementation by defining and clarifying terms such as “just transition,” “Emission Trading System (ETS),” “carbon credit,” “embodied greenhouse gas emissions,” “voluntary carbon markets,” “climate justice,” and the overarching “Net Zero 2053” target.

Key Pillars of Climate Action Under the Turkey Climate Law

The Turkey climate law specifies several important and interconnected areas of action:

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

The climate law mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, aligning these efforts with Turkey's Nationally Determined Contribution and Net Zero 2053 target. Although the law does not include a quantitative reduction target, it aims for Turkey to achieve its net zero target. These reductions will be guided by strategies and action plans that will be published or updated regularly under the coordination of the Climate Change Presidency. Sectoral emission reduction activities will be implemented by relevant institutions, with an emphasis on increasing efficiency in energy, water, and raw material consumption. 

Further emphasis is placed on preventing pollution at the source, increasing the use of domestic renewable energy resources, reducing the national carbon footprint, and adopting clean technologies. Establishing, implementing, and continuously monitoring a national zero waste system is also regarded as an integral part of these emission reduction efforts. Beyond industrial and urban environments, the Turkey climate law highlights the importance of preserving and enhancing carbon sinks in forests, agricultural lands, pastures, and wetlands to balance naturally occurring greenhouse gases.

Climate Change Adaptation 

The Turkey climate law, which acknowledges the often unavoidable impacts of a changing climate, focuses on adaptation strategies. It requires all relevant institutions to undertake adaptation activities aimed at preventing or minimizing losses and damages that could arise from climate change or seizing opportunities presented by a changing environment. This broad scope includes the obligation to prepare and implement planning tools and vulnerability/risk analyses for water resources management, the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, combating desertification and erosive forces, and developing climate-resilient agricultural practices. 

Developing and continuously improving integrated disaster management systems encompassing risk assessment, real-time monitoring, information dissemination, and early warning capabilities is also a component of Turkey's climate law. Public institutions are responsible for considering and implementing these analyses in national and local investment and planning activities.

Innovative Tools for Implementation: Strategic Planning and Dynamic Execution

As Turkey's first climate law, it offers a diverse toolkit to ensure effective implementation:

• Planning Tools: All plans, programs, strategies, and action plans prepared by various government and private institutions must now be aligned with the country's overall green growth vision and Net Zero 2053 target. Climate change strategies and action plans at the national or regional level will be prepared, implemented, monitored, and periodically updated under the coordination of the Climate Change Presidency. Climate Change Coordination Boards will be established in each of Turkey's 81 provinces. These boards will play a role in determining and ensuring the localized implementation of strategies, specific actions, and concrete application areas. Additionally, local climate change action plans will be developed, empowering regions to address local-level emission reduction and adaptation challenges. This multi-tiered planning approach is the cornerstone of Turkey's climate law.

• Implementation Tools (Financial, Technological, Capacity Building):

  • Financial Tools and Carbon Pricing: The Turkey climate law emphasizes the development and use of climate financing mechanisms and incentives. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change will coordinate efforts to develop these financial tools. This includes promoting green and sustainable capital market instruments, directing bank financing to climate-friendly projects, and developing insurance instruments to protect against climate risks. The Presidency is empowered to develop a climate change incentive mechanism and establish the Turkey Green Taxonomy designed to guide financial resources towards climate investments. Additionally, a Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BCAM) may be established within the Turkey climate law to address the embodied greenhouse gas emissions of imported goods, thereby ensuring fair competition and promoting global climate action.

  • Technological Tools: The purpose of this legislation is to increase technological self-sufficiency within Turkey and to promote the development and use of clean technologies. The Presidency is responsible for monitoring new technological developments such as carbon capture and storage technologies and hydrogen technologies, and promoting relevant research and development projects.

  • Capacity Building Tools: Recognizing the importance of public engagement, public awareness campaigns, education programs, and capacity building activities are accepted to sensitize the public to the impacts of climate change. The law also mandates curriculum updates at all education levels, from elementary to higher education, and the training of a “green workforce” equipped for the demands of a low-carbon economy. This multigenerational commitment highlights the long-term dedication to nurturing a climate-conscious and resilient society embedded within the Turkey climate law.

Carbon Pricing and Market Mechanisms Within the Scope of the Turkey Climate Law

An important aspect of the Turkey climate law is the establishment of a carbon pricing mechanism implemented through a designed Emission Trading System (ETS).

Emission Trading System (ETS)

The Climate Change Presidency will establish and manage this market-based mechanism. The Presidency is tasked with setting up the ETS, preparing national allocation plans, and overseeing the distribution of allowances. Businesses that actively engage in activities directly resulting in greenhouse gas emissions will be legally required to obtain their greenhouse gas emission permits directly from the Presidency.

From the date of the law's enactment, businesses that will fall under the ETS must obtain their greenhouse gas emission permits within 3 years. During this three-year period, businesses will be considered to have greenhouse gas emission permits for the one-time continuation of their activities under the ETS. The Presidency is authorized to extend this period, if deemed necessary, for up to two years from the end date based on the decision of the Carbon Market Board. 

Verified annual greenhouse gas emission deliveries corresponding to verified annual greenhouse gas emission values will be compulsory and will ensure accountability. The Carbon Market Board will consist of representatives from various ministries and institutions and will have oversight authority over the approval of national allocation plans, the allocation of free allowances, the determination of allowance amounts for primary market sales, and the delineation of the scope of permitted compensation mechanisms within the ETS. This structured approach supports the market-based mechanisms of the Turkey climate law.

Voluntary Carbon Markets and Compensation

The Turkey climate law allows for compensation mechanisms within the ETS, enabling the completion of a designated portion of allocation obligations with an equivalent amount of verified carbon credits. The Presidency will establish the principles of a national carbon crediting and compensation system for carbon credits obtained from emission reduction or removal activities and the enhancement of natural carbon sinks. Project owners actively operating in voluntary carbon markets will be legally required to register their projects in the carbon credit registry within a timeframe set by the Presidency. This provision in the Turkey climate law aims to foster the creation of a market for private climate actions, targeting to attract investment and innovation.

Strategic Revenue and Core Support Mechanisms

To finance these initiatives, the Turkey climate law summarizes various revenue streams. These include estimated revenues from greenhouse gas emission permits, revenues from the sale of allowances in the primary ETS market, contributions from authorized carbon credits participating in international carbon markets, and a specified percentage of administrative fines imposed for non-compliance. These revenues are allocated to green transition initiatives and climate change mitigation purposes, with a share dedicated to just transition practices to ensure fairness and equity during the economic transition. This financial framework strengthens the long-term viability and impact of the Turkey climate law, guaranteeing continuous investment in the country's climate future.

Conclusion: Turkey's Ongoing Legacy with Its Climate Law

The adoption of the Turkey climate law represents a step towards building a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-friendly future for the nation and the world. By setting clear, ambitious targets, establishing mechanisms such as the Emission Trading System, and providing a framework for emission reduction, adaptation, and financial support, Turkey demonstrates its commitment to facing and overcoming the threat of climate change. This climate law not only aligns Turkey with global climate goals and international obligations but also positions the country as a leader in green growth initiatives and environmental governance. The collective effort mandated by the Turkey climate law — spread across government bodies, private enterprises, and all layers of society — will be crucial in achieving the nation's Net Zero 2053 target and securing a healthier, more prosperous planet for future generations. Indeed, the Turkey climate law is shaping tomorrow, starting today.

For more information about Turkey's climate legislation, you can access the text of the adopted Climate Law. Additionally, a comprehensive summary of the Law provides a detailed analysis.