The General Framework and Main Objectives of the Action Plan

Turkey’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans (2024-2030)

In order to define 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 (İDASEP) and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (İDUSEP) were prepared simultaneously and published in March 2024. While İDASEP details Turkey’s policies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, İDUSEP focuses on strategies to adapt to climate change and build resilience against its impacts. Both plans were developed with the participation of public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations and include sector-specific targets and implementation steps across a wide range of areas.

Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)

İDASEP represents a comprehensive roadmap for reducing Turkey’s greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes measures such as improving 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 targeted levels by 2030, in line with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)

İDUSEP aims to enhance Turkey’s resilience against the impacts of climate change. This strategy focuses on sustainable water management, ensuring agricultural and food security, reducing natural disaster risks, and enabling the health sector to adapt to climate change. The main objective is to make society and the economy more resilient to adverse climate effects and to support sustainable development.

Together, these plans demonstrate Turkey’s commitment to both reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.

Impacts of the Plans on Sustainable Development, Climate Action, and Energy Transition

Turkey’s 2024-2030 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plans (İDASEP and İDUSEP) are critical documents guiding the country’s approach to sustainable development, climate action, and energy transition. They align with Turkey’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

İDASEP aims to reduce the carbon footprint across sectors such as energy, industry, transportation, and waste management. Key goals include increasing investments in renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy. In the industrial sector, adopting clean technologies and improving energy efficiency are prioritized. Low-carbon processes and innovative technologies aim to reduce the industry’s impact on climate change. In transportation, encouraging electric and hybrid vehicles, improving public transport systems, and implementing low-carbon solutions are key measures.

İDUSEP addresses sectors including agriculture, water management, health, disaster management, and ecosystem protection. Climate-resilient agricultural practices and crop diversification enhance food security. Sustainable water management strategies reduce risks from climate-related water scarcity. Strengthening health systems and adapting public health programs mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on human health. Disaster management focuses on early warning systems and increasing preparedness for climate-induced natural disasters. Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity is a critical component, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing resilience against climate impacts.

Both plans directly support sustainable development goals. İDASEP reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promoting environmental sustainability while encouraging economic growth. Investments in renewable energy accelerate energy transition and ensure energy security. İDUSEP enhances resilience to climate impacts and strengthens social resilience. Improvements in agriculture and water management support rural development and food security, while measures in health and disaster management increase community preparedness. These strategies are key to Turkey’s adaptation to climate change and achievement of sustainable development objectives.

In conclusion, İDASEP and İDUSEP outline important steps for Turkey to achieve its sustainable development, climate action, and energy transition goals. Their implementation aims to guide the country toward a more environmentally and economically sustainable future.

Priority Sectors and Expected Outcomes

İDASEP focuses on seven sectors, developing sector-specific strategies and setting targets. These sectors include:

• Energy

• Industry

• Buildings

• Transportation

• Waste

• Agriculture

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

Key sectoral targets expected to be achieved by 2030 include:

Energy

• According to the National Energy Plan, installed capacity for solar power will be increased to 32,900 MW.

• Wind power capacity is planned to reach 18,100 MW in line with the National Energy Plan. Focus will be given to innovative maintenance and operational practices to extend the lifetime of wind and solar plants and standards for environmentally safe decommissioning.

• Installed battery capacity is targeted to reach 2,100 MW.

• Hydropower potential will continue to be evaluated, including pumped storage plants, aiming for a total capacity of 35,100 MW.

• Geothermal and biomass installed capacity is expected to reach 5,100 MW.

• Nuclear power capacity is planned to reach 4,800 MW. The electricity grid emission factor is expected to decrease from 0.437 kg CO2/kWh (2020) to 0.352 kg CO2/kWh with new renewable energy capacity.

• R&D projects for hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and usage will be supported.

• A roadmap for carbon capture, utilization, and storage will be established to reduce unavoidable emissions.

• Efforts to increase qualified workforce and green jobs will be made, with gender balance and equal opportunity considered in training programs.

• Technical losses, currently around 12%, are targeted for reduction.

Industry

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy use in manufacturing will be increased, reducing the carbon footprint.

• Energy efficiency audits, benchmarking, and sector-specific (iron-steel, cement, glass, etc.) assessments will be conducted to identify energy-saving potential. Monitoring, measurement, and verification systems will be expanded to ensure accurate targets.

• Renewable energy use, including certified electricity, will be promoted in industrial facilities.

• Legislation on auxiliary fuels and alternative raw materials will be revised to encourage the use of waste as a resource.

• New technical and innovative applications for reducing product carbon footprints will be supported, considering gender balance in project teams.

• Policies on scrap metal usage in steel production (particularly in electric arc furnaces) will be reviewed from a greenhouse gas reduction perspective.

• A transition timeline for mandatory sustainability reporting, aligned with EU regulations, will be implemented in Turkey.

• Third-party assurance or verification systems for internationally recognized sustainability reporting will be considered and implemented.

• Sustainability reporting frameworks for listed companies will be updated in alignment with SPK Principles, ISSB Standards, and GRI.

Buildings

• Regional heating and cooling systems will be expanded, especially in mass housing areas.

• Digital transformation in the construction ecosystem will be implemented.

• All existing buildings will obtain an Energy Performance Certificate by 2030.

• At least half of existing buildings will be upgraded to Class C or higher in energy performance.

• Environmentally friendly designs and building materials will be promoted via the National Green Certification System (YeS-TR).

• Awareness campaigns on energy efficiency will continue, ensuring gender balance in training.

• Energy demand in buildings will be met through energy-efficient and renewable sources, targeting emission reductions and energy savings. GIS-based mapping of geothermal heat pump potential and integration with renewable energy and waste heat sources will be implemented.

Transportation

• High-Speed Train and Fast Train networks will be expanded to shift travel from road and air to rail.

• Passenger transport within coastal cities will be supported via maritime routes.

• Urban transport planning will establish “Urban Transport Demand Analysis Zones (KUTAB)” ensuring access to essential services (education, healthcare, work) within 15-20 minutes by public transport.

• Turkey Card Project for public transport will be implemented nationally.

• Accessibility standards for public transport stops, bike lanes, and micromobility (bikes, e-scooters) infrastructure will be enhanced.

• Public fleet vehicles (municipal buses, institutional vehicles, etc.) will be replaced with low/zero-emission alternatives.

• Conversion of existing vehicles to electric motor/battery will be supported with financing.

• Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles will be expanded.

• Alternative fuels (LNG, hydrogen, methanol, etc.) will be researched.

Waste

• Biological treatment facilities for biodegradable waste will be increased in number, capacity, and throughput. Priority will be given to market, park, garden, and food waste from production and retail sectors.

• Source separation of waste (biodegradable and other recyclable) will be expanded.

• Composting and fermentation yields from biodegradable waste will be improved.

• Non-recyclable waste will be processed using thermal technologies for energy recovery.

• Deposit return system collection rates are targeted at 90% by 2030.

• Waste-to-fuel (WtF) facilities and capacity will be increased for non-recyclable municipal waste.

• Investments will ensure proper waste processing at treatment facilities, ending illegal dumping.

• Efficiency and capacity of anaerobic digesters in wastewater treatment plants will be improved, and methane recovery increased.

• R&D will focus on treated wastewater reuse, material recovery, sludge reduction, and methane emission mitigation.

• Biogas from biodegradable waste will be converted into biomethane, biofuel, or bio-butanol compatible with natural gas standards.

• Fossil fuel use in waste collection and transport will be reduced.

Agriculture

• R&D and application of feed additives to reduce methane emissions in livestock will be conducted.

• Sustainable management of pastures and rangelands will be ensured.

• Collection systems and treatment methods for animal manure will be developed and disseminated.

• Crop rotation will prevent repeated planting, reduce fallow land, increase soil nitrogen naturally, and promote more plant-based protein in diets, including legumes.

• R&D support will be provided for developing alternatives to pesticides and antimicrobials, and registration processes will be accelerated.

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

• Between 2025-2030, annual net carbon sequestration in forests will increase year-on-year, and net emissions in agricultural and pasture lands will be negative (CO2-eq).

• Ecosystem integrity will guide afforestation, rehabilitation, and restoration with a proactive, results-oriented, basin-scale approach.

• Regulations around urban-adjacent forests, wetlands, and ecosystems will be strengthened to limit harmful human activity.

• Restoration of river corridors in settlements, agriculture, pasture, and wetlands will increase biomass and soil carbon sinks.

• Digitalization, precision monitoring, and drone use in forestry will improve the accuracy of carbon stock and emission calculations.

• Drought-tolerant plant varieties and technological solutions will be supported to cope with increasing drought severity and high temperatures.

• Early warning systems for drought, floods, forest fires, and landslides will be developed and operationalized.

İDUSEP focuses on 11 sectors, developing strategies and setting adaptation targets. These sectors include:

• Urban Areas

• Water Resources Management

• Agriculture and Food Security

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• Public Health

• Energy

• Industry

• Tourism and Cultural Heritage

• Transport and Communication

• Social Development

• Disaster Risk Reduction

The key targets expected to be achieved by 2030 across these sectors are highlighted below.

Urban Areas

• Climate risk-informed approaches will be adopted in urban planning processes, and disaster risk management strategies will be developed to support adaptation to climate change.

• Green spaces and urban green infrastructure will be expanded, microclimate conditions improved, and ecosystem services strengthened.

• Energy and water efficiency in buildings will be increased, and green building certification systems promoted. Renewable energy use will be encouraged, and energy-efficient technologies supported.

• Climate-resilient urban transportation systems will be developed, with sustainable mobility solutions such as public transport and bicycle lanes promoted.

• Efforts will be made to reduce water losses and improve water infrastructure in cities. Water supply and distribution systems will aim to minimize losses.

• Rainwater harvesting and greywater use will be expanded, supported by updated legislation and infrastructure investments.

• Urban heat island effects will be mitigated through green roofs and walls, urban afforestation, and other cooling methods.

• Waste management and recycling practices will be strengthened, applying circular economy principles to reduce waste.

• Urban agriculture and gardening practices will be promoted, encouraging sustainable farming methods.

Water Resources Management

• Basin-scale management plans (protection, water allocation, flood, and drought management plans) will be prepared and implemented, with the effectiveness of measures monitored using various indicators.

• Monitoring and information systems will be developed for water and wastewater management, and inventories of surface and groundwater resources will be established.

• Implementation of the Water Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan will be monitored, aiming to reduce water losses and increase efficiency in drinking water systems.

• Discharge standards will be updated and applied across all basins, with treated wastewater reuse rates targeted at 15% by 2030.

• Aquatic ecosystem water quality and levels will be monitored, water budgets prepared, and management plans implemented. Restoration of degraded wetlands and creation of artificial wetlands will also be undertaken.

• Modern irrigation methods will be widely adopted to improve efficiency, and the use of wastewater and drainage water for irrigation will be encouraged.

• Protection zones for groundwater used for drinking water will be established, groundwater abstraction monitored, and groundwater storage increased.

• Flood control will prioritize nature-based solutions, early warning systems will be expanded, and drought forecasting systems established.

Agriculture and Food Security

• Agricultural policies and legislation will be reviewed and updated to promote a climate-resilient, technology-driven, and water-efficient agricultural sector.

• Training, awareness, and capacity-building activities for stakeholders in the agriculture sector will be expanded to improve adaptation to climate change.

• Measures will be implemented to preserve the quality of agricultural lands, pastures, and rural landscapes, monitor pasture capacity and productivity, and enhance water balance and yields.

• Climate-resilient and sustainable aquaculture will be promoted, aquatic biodiversity protected and sustainably used, and invasive species in fisheries managed.

• Support for households and businesses engaged in beekeeping will be improved.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

• Legislation related to biodiversity and ecosystem services will be updated with a nature conservation focus, and protected area categories will be aligned with international standards. Coordination and collaboration among institutions will be strengthened to ensure effective management.

• All species will be identified and catalogued, interactions between climate change and biodiversity/ecosystem services studied, critical species and habitats defined, and projects conducted to monitor populations and ecosystems. Invasive alien species will be monitored, controlled, and managed.

• Contribution will be made to global efforts to increase the coverage of marine and terrestrial protected areas to 30%.

• Degraded and fragmented ecosystems will be inventoried, restored, and connected via ecological corridors.

Public Health

• Epidemiological research on the physical, mental, and social impacts of climate change will be expanded.

• Monitoring, prevention, and early diagnosis of climate-related diseases (heat/cold stress, UV exposure, water/air/food quality-related, vector-borne, emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases, and mental health conditions) will be strengthened through interdisciplinary R&D collaborations.

• A climate-sensitive disease list will be prepared and used; a climate and health glossary for various sectors and disciplines will be developed.

• Health facilities will aim to obtain climate-resilient accreditation.

Energy

• Vulnerability and risk assessments for coastal energy facilities against sea-level rise will be conducted, and necessary measures implemented.

• Measures will be taken to protect overhead electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure from climate hazards.

• Open lignite mines and stockpiles will be safeguarded against floods, heat waves, and other climate risks.

• Building energy efficiency will be enhanced through design improvements, use of new efficient technologies/equipment, and expansion of district heating/cooling systems.

Tourism and Cultural Heritage

• Climate-resilient construction of tourism facilities, upgrading of existing structures, and enhancement of adaptation capacity will be supported through new criteria.

• Guidelines will be prepared for identifying climate risks to movable and immovable cultural heritage, determining priority intervention areas, and assessing needs.

Industry

• Facilities exposed to technological risks or major industrial accidents triggered by climate-related hazards will be reassessed based on climate projections and vulnerability/risk analyses.

• Risk assessments and emergency plans for each facility will be reviewed and updated for climate adaptation, and priority adaptation actions implemented.

• Industrial sub-sectors most vulnerable to climate change will be identified, and adaptation guidelines developed for these sectors.

Transport and Communication

• Critical routes and infrastructure for roads, railways, ports, and airports will be strengthened against climate-related risks according to climate projections.

• Urban green and blue infrastructure, permeable surfaces, and drainage systems will be enhanced to mitigate the effects of heat waves.

• Public transport vehicles, school buses, intercity buses, and minibuses will be equipped with climate control and ventilation systems. Special materials and colors reducing heat absorption will be used for vehicle fleets.

• Road surfaces in high-temperature areas will use heat-reducing materials, shaded and protected pathways for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians will be established, and fire-prone landscapes replaced with safer alternatives.

Social Development

• Social assistance and service programs under social protection policies will be designed to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience of households in high-risk provinces.

• Analyses will be conducted on how climate change affects the social life of vulnerable groups (elderly, children, disabled) and society at large, and local government-supported development programs will address diverse needs of all population groups.

Disaster Risk Reduction

• A Multi-Hazard Early Warning System will be developed, providing forecasts and response actions for all segments of society.

• Insurance mechanisms will be designed to cover losses and damages caused by climate-related disasters, and a Turkey Loss and Damage Digital Platform will be established to improve loss and damage assessment processes.

References

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

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

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