The recent unanimous acceptance of the climate law by the Turkish Grand National Assembly marks a historic moment in Turkey's long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and its fight against climate change. After a decade of negotiations and preparations, this isn't just another piece of legislation; it is Turkey's first comprehensive climate law, signaling a significant shift in the nation's strategic approach to environmental governance.

Driven by a vision of green growth and a resolute Net Zero 2053 target, this foundational climate law establishes the legal and institutional framework necessary for advancements in climate action across all sectors. The enactment of Turkey's climate law will redefine how the nation approaches its environmental responsibilities, extending its reach and impact from vital energy production to sustainable agricultural practices.

The Vision and Scope of Turkey's Climate Law

At its very core, Turkey's climate law is designed with a dual imperative: to combat climate change through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and to foster adaptation activities that build resilience against climatic shifts. This climate law encompasses a wide array of instruments for planning, implementation, revenue generation, permitting, and auditing, establishing a robust legal and institutional framework. This holistic and forward-thinking approach underscores the urgency and seriousness with which Turkey is now addressing the global climate crisis. 

The statute itself defines and clarifies critical terms such as "just transition" – ensuring no one is left behind in the green transformation – the "Emissions Trading System (ETS)," "carbon credit," "embedded greenhouse gas emissions," "voluntary carbon markets," "climate justice," and the overarching "Net Zero 2053" goal, providing clarity for its application across the national landscape. The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities" underpins Turkey's climate law, acknowledging that nations possess diverse capacities and varying historical responsibilities in the collective global struggle against climate change. This nuanced principle, along with approaches to equity, climate justice, precaution, participation, integration, sustainability, transparency, just transition and progress, guides Turkey's efforts to achieve the challenging Net Zero 2053 target and ensures that its unique national development priorities and specific domestic circumstances are taken into account. 

Public institutions, real and legal individuals are obliged to comply with and implement measures and regulations taken in the public interest. Furthermore, progress on greenhouse gas emission reduction and climate change adaptation activities will be monitored annually by the Climate Change Presidency.

Key Pillars of Climate Action under Turkey's Climate Law

Turkey's climate law delineates several key areas of action:

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

This climate law mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, aligning these efforts with Turkey's National Contribution Statement and its Net Zero 2053 target. Although the law itself does not include a quantified reduction target, its aim is to achieve Türkiye's net-zero goal. These reductions are to be guided by strategies and action plans, which will be regularly issued or updated under the coordination of the Presidency of Climate Change. Sector-specific emission reduction activities are implemented by relevant institutions, with a focus on maximizing efficiency across energy, water, and raw material consumption. 

Furthermore, emphasis is placed on pollution prevention at its source, the increase in the utilization of indigenous renewable energy sources, the reduction of national carbon footprints, and the adoption of clean technologies. The establishment, implementation, and continuous monitoring of a national zero-waste system are also integral to these emission reduction efforts. Beyond industrial and urban settings, Turkey's climate law emphasizes the importance of protecting and increasing natural carbon sinks found in expansive forests, fertile agricultural lands, vital pastures, and crucial wetlands, in an effort to naturally balance emitted greenhouse gases.

Climate Change Adaptation

Acknowledging the often unavoidable impacts of a changing climate, Turkey's climate law focuses on adaptation strategies. It requires all relevant institutions to undertake adaptation activities aimed at preventing or minimizing potential losses and damages that may arise from climate change, or to leverage emerging opportunities presented by a changing environment. This scope includes preparing and implementing planning tools and vulnerability/risk analyses for optimized water resource management, protecting diverse ecosystems and biodiversity, combating desertification and erosive forces, and developing resilient agricultural practices capable of withstanding climatic extremes. The development and enhancement of integrated disaster management systems, encompassing risk assessment, monitoring, information dissemination, and early warning capabilities, also constitute a component of Turkey's climate law. Public institutions are explicitly responsible for considering these analyses in their investment and planning activities and for their implementation at the national and local levels.

Innovative Tools for Implementation: Strategic Planning and Dynamic Application

As Turkey's first climate law, it introduces a diverse suite of tools to ensure its effective implementation:

• Planning Instruments: All plans, programs, strategies, and action plans prepared by various governmental and private institutions must now be in alignment with the nation's green growth vision and its Net Zero 2053 target. National or regional scale climate change strategies and action plans will be prepared, implemented, monitored, and periodically updated under the coordination of the Presidency of Climate Change. Provincial 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. Furthermore, local climate change action plans will also be prepared, empowering regions to address emission reduction and adaptation challenges at the local level. This multi-tiered planning approach is a cornerstone of Turkey's climate law.
• Implementation Instruments (Financial, Technological, Capacity Building):
• Financial Instruments & Carbon Pricing: Turkey's climate law emphasizes the development and use of climate finance mechanisms and targeted incentives for climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change will coordinate efforts to develop these financial tools. This encompasses the promotion of green and sustainable capital market instruments, the redirection of bank financing towards climate-friendly projects, and the development of insurance tools to hedge against climate risks. The Presidency is authorized to develop climate change incentive mechanisms and to establish the Turkish Green Taxonomy, a framework to direct financial resources towards climate investments. Furthermore, a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for managing greenhouse gas emissions of imported goods in the customs territory may be established within Turkey's climate law to effectively address embedded greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring fair competition and promoting global climate action.
• Technological Instruments: A goal 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 relevant to climate change mitigation, such as carbon capture and storage technologies and hydrogen technologies, and for fostering related research and development projects. This forward-looking stance in Turkey's climate law ensures Turkey remains at the forefront of climate innovation.
• Capacity Building Instruments: Recognizing that societal engagement is important, public awareness campaigns, education programs, and capacity building activities are crucial to sensitize all segments of society to the effects of climate change. The law also mandates curriculum updates across all educational levels, from primary school to higher education, and the training of a skilled "green workforce" equipped for the demands of a low-carbon economy. This multi-generational commitment highlights the long-term commitment embedded within Turkey's climate law to cultivating a climate-conscious and resilient society.

Carbon Pricing and Market Mechanisms under Turkey's Climate Law

A significant aspect of Turkey's climate law is the establishment of a carbon pricing mechanism, primarily through an Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Emissions Trading System (ETS)

The Climate Change Presidency (İklim Değişikliği Başkanlığı) will establish and manage this market-based mechanism. It is tasked with establishing the ETS, preparing national allocation plans, and overseeing the distribution of allowances. Businesses actively engaged in activities causing direct greenhouse gas emissions will henceforth be legally required to obtain greenhouse gas emission permits directly from the Presidency. Within 3 years of the law's effective date, businesses included in the ETS scope must obtain these permits. 

During this three-year period, their greenhouse gas emission permits are considered to exist once for them to continue their activities within the ETS scope. If deemed necessary, the Presidency, in line with the Carbon Market Board's decision, is authorized to extend this period for up to two years from its expiry date. 

A corresponding annual allowance surrender, matching their verified annual greenhouse gas emission values, will be mandatory, ensuring accountability. The Carbon Market Board (Karbon Piyasası Kurulu), comprising representatives from various ministries and institutions, will provide oversight, approving national allocation plans, determining the allocation of free allowances, setting the quantities of allowances for primary market sales, and defining the extent of offsetting mechanisms permissible within the ETS. This structured approach underpins Turkey's climate law's market-based mechanisms.

Voluntary Carbon Markets and Offsetting

Turkey's climate law permits offsetting mechanisms within the ETS, allowing a prescribed portion of allowance obligations to be fulfilled with an equivalent amount of verified carbon credits. The Presidency will determine the principles of a national carbon crediting and offsetting system, designed for carbon credits generated from a wide array of emission reduction or removal activities and the enhancement of natural carbon sinks. Project owners actively engaged in voluntary carbon markets will be legally obligated to register their projects with the carbon credit registration system within a timeframe to be determined by the Presidency. This provision within Turkey's climate law will foster a market for private climate action, attracting further investment and innovation.

Strategic Revenue and Essential Support Mechanisms

To fund these initiatives, Turkey's climate law outlines a variety of revenue streams. These include projected revenues derived from greenhouse gas emission permits, proceeds from allowance sales in the primary ETS market, contributions garnered from authorized carbon credits participating in international carbon markets, and a prescribed percentage of administrative fines levied for non-compliance. 

These revenues are earmarked for green transformation initiatives and broader climate change mitigation purposes, with an allocation of up to 10 percent designated for Fair Transition activities, ensuring fairness and equity during the economic shift. This financial framework solidifies the long-term viability and impact of Turkey's climate law, guaranteeing sustained investment in the nation's climate future.

Conclusion: Turkey's Enduring Legacy with its Climate Law

The acceptance of Turkey's climate law is a step towards forging a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-friendly future for the nation and the world. By establishing clear, ambitious targets, by instituting mechanisms such as the Emissions Trading System, and by providing a framework for emission reduction, adaptation, and financial support, Turkey is demonstrating its commitment to confronting 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 nation as a leader in green growth initiatives and responsible environmental stewardship. The collective effort mandated by Turkey's climate law—extending across governmental bodies, private businesses, and society—will be crucial in realizing the nation's Net Zero 2053 ambition.

For further insights into Turkey's climate legislation, you can access the adopted final version of the Climate Law in Turkish. Additionally, a comprehensive brief of the Law, also in Turkish, provides a detailed analysis.