What is the project about? 

Following the ratification of the Paris Agreement on 7 October 2021, Türkiye has declared 2053 as its national target for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In line with this ambition, the country revised its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021, increasing its 2030 reduction target from 21% to 41% compared to the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario, while designating 2012 as the base year and 2038 as the national emissions peak year.

To support this transition, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Directorate of Climate Change has undertaken the preparation and implementation of its Long-Term Climate Strategy (LTS) through close cooperation with UNDP Türkiye. The LTS provides a long-term framework for reducing emissions across key sectors, integrating cost-benefit analysis, co-benefits, and cross-cutting themes such as carbon pricing, just transition, and equality.

The project aims to support the effective implementation of Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy by strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders through comprehensive training, knowledge-sharing, and resource management activities. By fostering inclusive engagement, the project seeks to build national and international ownership and commitment to the LTS.

Additionally, the project contributes to aligning the LTS with relevant national and international policy frameworks, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This will be achieved through the development of a technical paper that identifies synergies, integration opportunities, and recommended actions for policy coherence.

What is the situation? 

With the finalization and publication of Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy, efforts have shifted toward its effective implementation. Initial activities focused on raising awareness, capacity building, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and laying the groundwork for institutional coordination.

Key systems and tools have been updated to support the monitoring and implementation of the strategy, and capacity-building activities have been delivered to support public institutions in fulfilling their roles.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to support the Government of Türkiye in enhancing technical and institutional capacities to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of the Long-Term Climate Strategy. Through a comprehensive set of capacity-building activities, technical assistance, and policy alignment efforts, the project contributes to the long-term sustainability of Türkiye’s low-emission development pathway.

How are we doing this? 

The project’s implementation approach is structured around four main areas of intervention that support the effective rollout of Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy. 

First, comprehensive awareness-raising and training activities have been conducted to enhance the understanding and engagement of key stakeholders, including public institutions, private sector actors, academia, and civil society. Second, a technical Alignment Report has been developed to ensure coherence between the LTS and related national and international climate policy instruments, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution, the Climate Law, and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Third, the project facilitates Türkiye’s international outreach and experience sharing through participation in global platforms, enabling knowledge exchange and promoting the country’s climate leadership. Finally, visual communication materials have been produced to improve accessibility and transparency of the LTS. All activities are implemented in close coordination with the Directorate of Climate Change, with UNDP Türkiye providing technical support and leveraging its global expertise in climate governance and policy implementation.

How will Türkiye benefit? 

The project will contribute to strengthening the technical and institutional capacity of key public institution, particularly the Directorate of Climate Change, to manage, implement, and monitor Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy effectively. By supporting training activities and the development of monitoring tools, the project enhances the country’s ability to follow through on its climate commitments.

Through the preparation of the related policy guidance documents, the project will promote greater coherence among Türkiye’s key climate instruments, including the LTS, Nationally Determined Contribution, and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. This will help ensure consistency across national and international obligations, contributing to more effective and integrated climate governance. Stakeholder engagement will foster broader awareness and shared responsibility in the implementation of climate policy.