Local Climate Change Action Plans to Be Launched in 81 Provinces
· AA Tarım & Ekonomi
Across all 81 provinces of Turkey, climate policies will be standardized, and municipalities' emission reduction and risk plans will be subject to annual digital audits.
Common Standard for Climate Across 81 Provinces
According to information obtained from the Climate Change Presidency, a new era has begun to make the fight against the climate crisis measurable and planned at the local level. Within the framework of the Climate Law, a standardized structure is being established in all 81 provinces of Turkey in line with the regulation published in the Official Gazette on August 4. The work, previously carried out by municipalities using scattered methods, will be brought under a single umbrella, with each city determining its own greenhouse gas emissions and local climate risks.
Integration with Agriculture and Water Management
With the new regulation, climate policies are being removed from being a narrow environmental activity and are directly integrated into agricultural, water management, energy, industry, and urban planning policies. Through provincial greenhouse gas inventories, consumption in critical sectors such as agricultural irrigation, energy efficiency, and waste management will be clarified. Concrete investments to be implemented by local governments will strengthen Turkey's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and directly contribute to the 2053 net-zero emission vision.
Digital Monitoring and Technical Support
The Climate Change Presidency will guide the process by providing comprehensive technical guidelines for the Local Climate Change Action Plans to be prepared by local governments. Through the internet-based E-YİDEP system to be established, municipalities will upload their data, and all developments will be transparently shared with the public via the Climate Portal. Additionally, climate risk analyses and cost-effective action scenarios will be prepared for decision-makers, while regular training will be provided to municipal employees on risk assessment and financing.
Investment Budgets and Financing Sources
The estimated budget and financing sources for each climate action planned under the regulation will be clarified during the preparation phase. Schedules for rooftop solar energy systems, electric transportation, and low-carbon infrastructure projects will turn into specific investments. Although the regulation does not establish a new financial fund, it will lay a strong foundation for municipalities to create project portfolios with high technical capacity to apply for İller Bankası resources, national support programs, and international climate funds.
Implementation Calendar and Institutional Structure
Provincial Climate Change Coordination Boards, to be formed in the provinces under the chairmanship of governors with the participation of universities, public institutions, and professional chambers, will be completed by December 31, 2026. The first Local Climate Change Action Plans will be prepared to cover the period 2028-2032 and will be decided by December 31, 2027. With the completion of institutional preparations in 2026 and inventory and risk assessments in 2027, the established plans will be updated every 5 years.
Annual Monitoring and Performance Audit
The on-site implementation results of the action plans will be regularly monitored each year, and municipalities will input the activities carried out into the E-YİDEP system by June 30 each year. Renewable energy production, energy savings, and emission reduction rates will be examined by the coordination boards, and necessary measures will be taken in case of deviation from targets. The comprehensive annual evaluation reports prepared will be entered into the system by October 31 each year and opened for public review.