Türkiye’s First Climate Law Enters Into Force

1. Introduction

Türkiye’s most significant and first-ever law on climate change, the Climate Law No. 7552 (“Law” or “Climate Law”), is published in the Official Gazette dated 9 July 2025 and numbered 32571, thereby entering into force on the same day.

The purpose of this Law is to establish the legal framework necessary for Türkiye to achieve its goals in combating climate change and adapting to its impacts. The Law sets out a broad range of objectives, including:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
• developing policies for climate change adaptation,
• establishing an Emissions Trading System (ETS) and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms,
• defining the obligations of the public and private sectors, and
• enabling climate planning at both local and national levels.

The Law has an economy-wide scope, covering not only central government institutions and local authorities, but also carbon-intensive sectors and private sector actors.

2. The Law’s Relation to the Paris Agreement

As known, the Paris Agreement was adopted on 12 December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and entered into force at the international level on 4 November 2016. Türkiye evaluated the Agreement for several years with certain reservations; ultimately, the Paris Agreement was ratified by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 6 October 2021 and formally approved by Presidential Decree on 7 October 2021, thereby completing the domestic legal ratification process.

In its official statement upon accession to the Paris Agreement, Türkiye emphasized that it would implement the Agreement in the capacity of a “developing country” and that its climate policies should not compromise its right to economic and social development.

In this context, the Climate Law serves as Türkiye’s first comprehensive legal framework aimed at translating its international commitments under the Paris Agreement into domestic legislation and making them operational. The Law is guided by the core principles of the Paris Agreement, common but differentiated responsibilities, just transition and climate justice, transparency and accountability, and alignment with sustainable development goals and sets a strategic direction toward Türkiye’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2053.

3. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)

Türkiye prepared its Updated First Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the framework of the Paris Agreement and submitted it to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in April 2023.

Türkiye’s updated NDC presents an ambitious mitigation plan based on scientific modelling and covers all economic sectors (economy-wide). In addition to emission reduction, it also addresses adaptation policies, financing needs, technology transfer, and capacity building in an integrated manner. This holistic approach constitutes the foundation of Türkiye’s green growth vision, which balances environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic development.

Three milestone targets are emphasized in Türkiye’s updated NDC:

2030: With 2012 as the reference year, Türkiye has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 41% compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030.

2038: The year 2038 is identified as the emissions peak year, after which Türkiye pledges to enter a downward emissions trajectory.

2053: Türkiye’s long-term goal is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2053. This target serves as the overarching objective guiding all policies under the Climate Law.

• Sector-Specific Targets

The updated NDC outlines detailed targets for various sectors. The key highlights are summarized below:

• Energy Sector

Türkiye aims to fully harness its potential in renewable energy and energy efficiency, taking into account energy security, market conditions, and technical feasibility. The country has set capacity targets of 33 GW for solar, 18 GW for wind, 35 GW for hydroelectric, and 4.8 GW for nuclear, aiming to ensure both energy security and emission reductions.

• Industry Sector

The use of green production technologies, alternative raw materials, and clean energy will be promoted to enhance energy and resource efficiency. Sector-specific roadmaps will be developed for high-emission industries such as iron and steel, cement, aluminum, and chemicals.

• Transportation Sector

The share of road transport will be reduced, while rail and maritime transport will be increased. The infrastructure for electric vehicles will be expanded, and fast-charging networks will be scaled up nationwide.

• Agriculture Sector

Türkiye aims to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural activities through the promotion of precision farming and improved fertilizer management. The sector’s climate-friendly transformation will be supported by encouraging biogas production, organic farming, and sustainable irrigation practices.

• Building Sector

Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) standards will be applied to new constructions, and the energy performance of existing buildings will be improved. The use of renewable energy and the quality of insulation will be enhanced to reduce overall energy consumption in the building stock.

• Waste Sector

A zero waste policy will be implemented to reduce household waste and ensure the recovery of 60% of municipal solid waste. Biogas production from organic waste and the use of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) will be increased.

• Land Use and Forestry (LULUCF)

The carbon sink capacity of forests will be enhanced, forest areas will be expanded, and sustainable forest management practices will be strengthened. The LULUCF sector is expected to offset 11% of national emissions by 2030.

4. Emissions Trading System (ETS), Voluntary Carbon Market, and Non-Compliance Cases
   • Emissions Trading System (ETS): Definition and Basic Structure

One of the most significant components introduced under the Law is the establishment of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The ETS is a market-based climate policy tool that allows facilities operating in certain sectors to carry out their greenhouse gas emissions within a predefined cap and to manage their allocated emission allowances through trading. In Türkiye, the ETS is legally grounded by the Climate Law, enabling cost-effective emission reductions and supporting the transition to low-carbon technologies.

Facilities covered by the ETS are required to obtain a greenhouse gas emission permit, monitor and verify their activities, and surrender a sufficient number of allowances each year to match their emissions. The sectors and facilities subject to the ETS are determined under the National Allocation Plan, and the total volume and distribution method of allowances are set by the Carbon Market Board.

• Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

The functioning of the ETS is based on the principles of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV):

• Facilities must monitor and report their annual greenhouse gas emissions.
• These reports must be verified by accredited independent entities.
• The Presidency of Climate Change is responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of these processes and publishes technical guidelines.

This system enhances transparency and accountability, strengthening Türkiye’s compliance with international climate obligations.

• Voluntary Carbon Market and Carbon Credit System

The Climate Law also regulates a national voluntary carbon market for entities not covered by the ETS or those wishing to undertake more ambitious emission reduction commitments.