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13 November 2024
Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, unveiled Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy Roadmap at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), detailing the nation’s comprehensive vision for climate action.
Minister Kurum highlighted that the roadmap comprises 89 strategies across 18 sectors, categorized under "mitigation," "adaptation," and "cross-cutting issues." He announced Türkiye’s ambitious goal to increase the share of renewable energy in its primary energy mix to 50%. “Streamlining access to climate finance is essential for achieving a ‘fairer world,’” he said.
During the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Murat Kurum, the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, unveiled Türkiye’s Long-Term Roadmap, which outlines the nation’s climate mitigation measures and primary objectives. Minister Kurum noted that the roadmap focuses on high-priority sectors, including energy, industry, buildings, transport, agriculture, waste management, and land use. "In the words of our President, Türkiye is proposing ‘a fairer world for all of humanity,’" the Minister remarked. "We are vocal in our call for global cooperation and solidarity, viewing this path as both a humanitarian and conscientious responsibility."
"The world needs this unity and collective action now more than ever," he added.
“TÜRKİYE SERVES AS A CENTER OF CONSCIENCE AND COMPASSION FOR THE WORLD”
Highlighting that more than 11,000 disasters related to weather, climate, or water have caused over 2 million deaths in the last 50 years, Minister Kurum stated: “Türkiye has never remained silent or passive in the face of these documented realities.
Due to its values and geographical depth, our country serves as a center of conscience and compassion for the world.”
ACCESS TO CLIMATE FINANCE IS A PREREQUISITE FOR A "FAIRER WORLD"
Minister Kurum identified access to financing—a central agenda item of COP29—as a critical priority for Türkiye. “As decades of experience have shown, consistent and uninterrupted climate finance is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. That is why, facilitating access to climate finance is a prerequisite ‘for a fairer world.’ Türkiye has consistently advocated across all international platforms that COP29 must serve as a definitive turning point for climate finance. Over the next ten days, we will work here to establish new and ambitious financial targets.”
89 STRATEGIES DEVELOPED FOR 18 SECTORS FOLLOWING TWO YEARS OF WORK
Minister Murat Kurum stressed that Türkiye’s Long-Term Roadmap represents a high-level commitment to the 2053 Net Zero Target, which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed during the summit. The Minister noted that this roadmap was the result of a two-year collaborative effort involving public and private sector stakeholders along with various NGOs. He explained that the 89 strategies covering 18 sectors are organized into three pillars: “mitigation,” “adaptation,” and “cross-cutting issues” that bridge both areas.
WE WILL INCREASE THE SHARE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TO 50%
Minister Kurum pointed out that recent analysis identifies the energy sector as the primary source of emissions, accounting for 72% of the national total. “In response, our Long-Term Climate Strategy sets bold targets for the energy sector to tackle the bulk of our emissions,” the Minister explained. Türkiye has already successfully raised the share of renewables in its total installed capacity to 59%. This achievement places us 5th in Europe and 11th globally in renewable energy capacity. By 2053, we aim to maximize the use of renewable resources across our entire energy infrastructure. Our plan involves increasing the share of renewable energy in our primary energy mix to 50% and nuclear energy to 30%. These steps will allow us to decarbonize approximately 80% of the energy used nationwide.”
EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS FOR INDUSTRY, TRANSPORT, AGRICULTURE, BUILDINGS, AND FORESTRY
Minister Kurum announced that by 2053, Türkiye aims to reduce emissions in the industrial sector by 93% for cement, 99% for iron and steel, and 75% for aluminum, noting that the goal for the building sector is to bring emission rates near zero. These combined efforts are expected to prevent a total of 2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Regarding the transport sector, the Minister noted that 7,000 kilometers of high-speed and rapid rail lines will be constructed by 2053, increasing the share of railways in logistics from 5% to 22%. He further mentioned the target of reaching 4.2 million electric vehicles by 2035 and raising the domestic production rate to 75%. Minister Kurum outlined plans to implement organic farming on at least 10% of the nation's land, while noting that expanding biogas facilities will help curb non-CO2 emissions in the livestock sector and safeguard food security. He also emphasized that carbon sink capacity will be increased in the forestry sector by protecting existing forests and expanding national gardens, green spaces, and green corridors.
THE ZERO WASTE PRINCIPLE WILL BE EXPANDED
Minister Kurum discussed the expansion of the Zero Waste principle, an initiative championed by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, within the waste management sector. “We intend to completely phase out the disposal of waste in landfills,” Minister Kurum declared.
“We are aiming to increase our overall waste recovery rate to 70%. We will finalize the infrastructure and machinery for our Deposit Management System by the end of 2025 for a full nationwide rollout. This initiative will significantly help reduce our national methane emissions,” he added.
CITIZENS WILL NO LONGER DRINK WATER FROM ASBESTOS PIPES
Minister Kurum announced that Türkiye will implement 37 adaptation strategies across 11 different sectors as part of its long-term climate goals. “By leveraging the 3-kilometer high-resolution projection models we are currently developing, we will conduct rigorous risk assessments across 11 different sectors. These strategies are designed to drastically reduce water loss and leakage in our urban centers. A key goal is to ensure that our citizens no longer drink water supplied through outdated asbestos pipes. To that end, we are launching an immediate partnership with the ILBANK Directorate General to replace these pipes and drive leakage rates down to an absolute minimum. We are also set to modernize agricultural irrigation and roll out smart water management systems nationwide. Our basin management plans will be strictly and meticulously enforced. The protection of biodiversity remains a core priority to us. We will expand our efforts in sustainable forest management, the fight against desertification, and the establishment of climate-resilient building standards for our urban areas. Initiatives like organic farming, no-till agriculture, and rainwater harvesting will be scaled up across the country. We are committed to taking decisive steps toward sustainable tourism and the safeguarding of our cultural heritage sites. Finally, we will establish health monitoring systems and, in coordination with the Directorate General of Meteorology, strengthen our early warning and emergency response mechanisms.”
SUPPORTING SMART AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES
Minister Murat Kurum explained that the long-term climate strategy consolidates policies addressing both mitigation and adaptation under the category of “cross-cutting issues.” He noted that the roadmap provides detailed frameworks for hydrogen technologies, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), along with smart city and precision agricultural technologies.
THE CLIMATE LAW AND GREEN TAXONOMY
In his update on the country's legislative progress, Minister Kurum outlined the upcoming legal framework: “We expect the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) to enact the Climate Law within the year. This legislation will provide the necessary momentum to accelerate our green transition. To safeguard our trade competitiveness before the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) takes effect in 2026, we will rapidly deploy our own carbon pricing and Emission Trading System (ETS). We also intend to unlock new financing for green investments by issuing the ‘National Green Taxonomy Regulation’ in 2025.”
“WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE COP31 PRESIDENCY”
Minister Kurum highlighted that Türkiye is situated within the Mediterranean Basin, a region already grappling with surface temperature increases exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and serving as one of the world's most precarious migration routes. Against this backdrop, the Minister underscored the strategic significance of Türkiye’s candidacy to host COP31. “While we are adversely affected by climate change, we are also a nation with the proven capability to transform this crisis into an opportunity,” he remarked. “We attach great importance to the COP31 presidency as it allows us to share our expertise, learn directly from the experiences of others, and maximize our contribution to the global fight against climate change.”
TÜRKİYE’S FOUR CORE COMMITMENTS FOR THE COP31 PRESIDENCY
Minister Kurum outlined Türkiye’s four primary commitments regarding its COP31 candidacy: “During its presidency, Türkiye will act as a bridge to strengthen climate action between developed and developing nations. It will fully advocate for a flow of technology and finance sharing that aligns with climate justice for every country, without exception. The presidency will take the most decisive steps toward developing climate-resilient and adaptive urban models. Türkiye will focus its full energy on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable regions worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Pacific.” During his address, the Minister also provided updates on the ongoing reconstruction and revitalization efforts within the earthquake-stricken regions.
ILBANK PAVILION OPENS AT COP29
As part of the COP29 program, Minister Kurum inaugurated the ILBANK pavilion at the Baku Olympic Stadium. “Despite every obstacle, Azerbaijan has successfully managed this massive organization and set an outstanding example for the world,” the Minister concluded.