Türkiye’s first Climate Law, which consists of 20 articles, two provisional articles, and amendments to three separate laws, was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.
03 July 2025
Türkiye’s first Climate Law, which consists of 20 articles, two provisional articles, and amendments to three separate laws, was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.
Outlining the greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation activities as the key elements of climate change mitigation, the Law establishes the procedures and principles for planning and implementation tools, revenues, permits and inspections, as well as the legal and institutional framework governing these areas.
It introduces key definitions, including “just transition,” “primary market,” “offsetting,” the “Emissions Trading System (ETS),” “embedded greenhouse gas emissions,” “voluntary carbon markets,” and “climate justice.”
Under the general principles set out in the law, Türkiye’s climate action will be guided by the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,” as well as by the approaches of equality, climate justice, precaution, participation, integration, sustainability, transparency, just transition, and progress.
Governmental organizations and agencies, as well as individuals and legal entities, will be required to comply with measures and regulations taken in the interest of the public and to implement them on time.
In the Nationally Determined Contribution, the country’s development priorities and specific national circumstances will be taken into account in line with the net zero emissions target, and measures will be adopted within this framework.
The Law will Support Cleaner and More Efficient Production
The law aims to make the economy resilient to climate-induced negative impacts. A legal framework will be established to ensure a cleaner and more efficient production process, boosting the international competitiveness of sectors. The law not only addresses the industrial sectors but also takes a comprehensive approach to protect cities, agriculture, livestock, and green spaces.
Responsibilities of the Directorate of Climate Change
The Law outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Directorate of Climate Change. The Law outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Directorate of Climate Change. It will monitor progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The Directorate will also be tasked with regulating market-based mechanisms related to carbon pricing. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) will be established by the Directorate, and allocations will be distributed under this system. Within the scope of the ETS, operators conducting activities that directly cause greenhouse gas emissions will be required to obtain a greenhouse gas emissions permit from the Directorate of Climate Change in order to carry out such activities, in accordance with principles to be specified by regulation.
National and Local Action Plans to Be Developed
In line with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the net-zero emissions target, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced according to the strategies and action plans published by the Directorate of Climate Change. These plans will be developed, implemented, and monitored periodically at the national level.
Climate Change Provincial Coordination Boards to Be Created
A Provincial Climate Change Coordination Board will be established in each province, led by the governor and consisting of representatives from relevant institutions and organizations, as well as local authorities. The working procedures and principles of the Board will be determined by the Ministry. Local Climate Change Action Plans will be formulated by the end of 2027, with the Ministry having the authority to extend this deadline by one year.
Local Plans to Be Developed Under the Leadership of Governors
Local climate change action plans, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, will be drawn up under the coordination of the governor. In metropolitan cities, these plans will be prepared by the metropolitan municipality, and in other provinces, by the provincial municipality and the special provincial administration, with input from the relevant organizations and agencies. These plans will be submitted to the Provincial Climate Change Coordination Board for approval. Sectoral vulnerability and risk analyses will be prepared and updated periodically using climate models, serving as the basis for strategy and action plans.
Green Taxonomy of Türkiye to Be Established
The Directorate of Climate Change will prepare national, sectoral, and thematic reports. To facilitate the steering of financial resources, the Directorate will develop climate change incentive mechanisms and establish and manage Türkiye's Green Taxonomy. Within the framework of circular economy goals and zero waste practices, the reuse of products, use of waste as by-products or alternative raw materials, and the mandatory usage rates of products obtained through recycling and recovery will be defined.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The establishment of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) tasked with addressing the embedded greenhouse gas emissions of goods imported into Türkiye’s customs territory, will become feasible. The reporting, scope, content, procedures, and principles related to CBAM will be determined by the Ministry of Trade in coordination with other relevant ministries.
Carbon Market Board
The Carbon Market Board will be chaired by the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and will comprise deputy ministers representing the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as the Vice President of Strategy and Budget, the Chair of the Capital Markets Board, the Chair of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority, and the Director of Climate Change.
The Directorate of Climate Change will serve as the Board’s secretariat.
The Board will approve the national allocation plan, decide on the distribution of free allowances in the ETS market, determine the volume of allowances to be offered for sale on the primary market, determine the proportion of offsetting permitted under the ETS, define ETS-related plans, policies, strategies, and actions, identify sectors, projects, and activities to be subject to international carbon markets, and outline the relevant restrictions as well as the core policies governing imports and exports.
Use of Clean Technology to be Scaled Up
Increasing the technological self-sufficiency capacities of the planning and implementation tools developed by relevant institutions will be prioritized, with a focus on the advancement and widespread adoption of clean technologies. The Directorate will be entitled to collaborate with the relevant organizations in tracking new technological developments, such as carbon capture and storage technologies and hydrogen technologies, which would support efforts to tackle climate change, as well as to develop projects in these areas. It will also be authorized to provide guidance to these organizations in their activities within these fields and to coordinate with the relevant bodies. Research and practice centers may be established in cooperation with relevant institutions affiliated with the Directorate.
Climate Change and Green Transformation to Be Included in School Curricula
To raise public awareness and make society more sensitive to the effects of climate change, education and awareness raising programs will be organized. The Ministry of National Education, in coordination with other relevant ministries, will update the curricula and teaching programs at all education levels and ensure the training of a green workforce. The principles and procedures for these actions will be determined by governmental organizations, in consultation with the Ministry.
Early Warning Systems, Food Security, and Nature-Based Solutions
To ensure food security through climate-resilient crop patterns, nature-based solutions that balance the protection and utilization of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity will be promoted and scaled up. Climate-resilient practices will be widespread, and risk assessment, monitoring, information, and early warning systems will be developed based on integrated disaster management principles to reduce losses and damages caused by climate-related disasters.
Water Management and Balancing Land Degradation
To achieve the net-zero emissions target, measures will be taken by relevant institutions to prevent carbon sink losses in forests, agriculture, pastures, and wetlands. Effective management of water resources in the face of climate change impacts will be ensured. The quality and area of marine and terrestrial protected areas will be increased.
Action Plans to Be Developed by December 31, 2027
The preparation and adaptation obligations related to the applicable legislation and planning instruments set out in the adopted law will be fulfilled by the relevant organizations and agencies no later than December 31, 2027. The President will have the authority to extend this period by up to one year.