What is the process of Turkey regarding climate change?

Turkey on Climate Change

Climate change has been on the agenda since the 1980s and is now defined as a global crisis whose effects are seriously felt today. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of growing industrialization thickens the atmospheric layer, causing a rise in the Earth's internal temperature. As a result, widespread and rapid changes occur in the oceans, cryosphere, and biosphere.

Climate scientists propose various scenarios regarding the potential impacts of global warming in the coming years. According to the data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, by the end of the 21st century, global warming is projected to be within the range of 1.0°C - 1.8°C under a "very low greenhouse gas emissions scenario," 2.1°C - 3.5°C under a "medium-level greenhouse gas emissions scenario," and 3.3°C - 5.7°C under a "very high-level greenhouse gas emissions scenario." Consequently, unless a serious global climate action plan is implemented, the 1.5°C-2°C warming threshold is expected to be exceeded by the end of this century. These projections clearly indicate that irreversible damage affecting the climate, ecosystems, and all living beings will occur.

To address climate change, various countries have formulated agreements and protocols. The first concrete international step was the 1985 Vienna Convention, followed by the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which included commitments outlined in the Vienna Convention. This protocol is particularly significant as it was the first regulation aimed at restricting substances that deplete the ozone layer. Turkey has been a party to this protocol since 1991 and has accepted every amendment made to it. Additionally, Turkey became a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2004, which was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. In 2009, Turkey also ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which was developed as part of the UNFCCC. However, due to the annex lists in which Turkey was included, the country was not subject to any mandatory greenhouse gas reduction or limitation obligations until 2020.

One of the most significant agreements Turkey has signed in the fight against climate change is the Paris Agreement. This agreement entered into force in 2016 after being ratified by at least 55 countries responsible for 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Turkey, the agreement was officially ratified on October 7, 2021. The Paris Agreement is considered a turning point in global efforts to combat climate change, as it not only focuses on climate issues but also highlights topics such as social equality, economic growth, and the restructuring of production and consumption habits within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.