"The Climate Law Proposal has been prepared as a fundamental code law that regulates the field of climate change from the ground up. The proposal aims for a livable world by ensuring more efficient production with less energy, adopting the '2053 Net Zero Emission Target' and the 'Green Growth' vision as its goals."

Last week, a significant turning point was reached in Turkey's fight against climate change. The Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, presented Turkey's first Climate Law proposal to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. This proposal aims to provide Turkey with a more solid legal framework in its struggle against climate change. While the draft law offers a comprehensive strategy for environmental protection, it also aims to create a just transition process by considering economic, social, and environmental balance.

Education and Awareness: Disseminating Green Technology and Climate Consciousness

One of the most crucial elements in the fight against climate change is the creation of broad public awareness. In the law proposal, the inclusion of a green technology curriculum in the education system stands out as one of the most significant innovations. This step aims not only to raise awareness about climate change but also to ensure that the younger generation grows up to be environmentally sensitive and conscious. This transformation in education is planned to be implemented at all levels. In this process, cooperation will be established with the Ministry of National Education and the Council of Higher Education to cultivate a green workforce. This will help provide the competent human resources needed in the field of climate change mitigation.

Local and National Action Plans: Coordination in the Fight Against Climate Change

One of the most striking aspects of the law proposal is the creation of specific plans and strategies to combat climate change at the local level. Provincial Climate Change Coordination Boards will be established in each province under the chairmanship of the governor, consisting of representatives from local governments and relevant institutions. These boards will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local level and take steps to adapt to climate change.

Local Climate Change Action Plans will be prepared by 2027 and implemented in accordance with the specific conditions of each province. These plans will be prepared by metropolitan municipalities in metropolitan areas and by provincial municipalities in other provinces, and will be strengthened with the participation of local governments. Local authorities will determine practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also developing strategies to adapt to climate change.

Green Economy: Financial Instruments and Clean Technology Investments

Turkey's climate law introduces significant financial and technological tools for the transition to an environmentally friendly economy. The Turkey Green Taxonomy will be established as a system to support environmentally friendly projects for national and international financial markets. This mechanism will direct investors towards environmentally sensitive projects and accelerate international financial flows. At the same time, new strategies will be created to control Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions through tools such as carbon trading and voluntary carbon markets.

The law will include mechanisms such as carbon pricing and the Emission Trading System (ETS). Through this system, Turkey will be able to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions more efficiently and engage in carbon trading on an international scale.

The proposal also aims to promote the dissemination of newly developing technologies such as carbon capture and storage technologies and hydrogen technology to encourage the development of clean technologies. These technologies will play a significant role in the fight against climate change and will be one of the determining factors in achieving Turkey's green economy goals.

Climate Change Presidency: Strategic Coordination and Monitoring Center

The law proposal also defines in detail the duties and powers of the Climate Change Presidency. This presidency will be responsible for coordinating Turkey's climate change policies and will take a leading role in monitoring all climate-related activities. The presidency will undertake tasks such as monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, regulating carbon pricing mechanisms, and managing the emission trading system. At the same time, it will coordinate efforts for climate change adaptation and take the necessary steps for Turkey to achieve its international climate targets.

The Presidency will work to create and implement financial mechanisms for carbon trading and the fight against climate change. In line with the Nationally Determined Contribution, it will develop strategies to reduce Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions to comply with international commitments.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Global Carbon Settings

With the Climate Law proposal, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be implemented. This mechanism will inspect the carbon footprint of products imported into Turkey and introduce regulations for non-environmentally friendly products. This will prevent imported products from being environmentally insensitive and encourage cleaner production processes within our country.

Resilience to Disasters: Early Warning and Nature-Based Solutions

The law proposal emphasizes nature-based solutions in the fight against climate change. These solutions aim to protect natural resources, ensure the sustainability of ecosystems, and preserve biological diversity. In addition, early warning systems and risk assessment mechanisms will be developed to reduce the impacts of climate change-related disasters. These systems will ensure preparedness for disasters, and cooperation will be established with local governments and institutions to minimize risks.

Green Growth Vision: Net Zero Emission Target

Another important goal of the law proposal is to achieve the net-zero emission target. In line with this goal, a wide range of strategies and regulations will be implemented to reduce Turkey's carbon footprint. The 2053 Net Zero Emission Target will shape Turkey's future environmental policies and lay the foundation for a greener economy. This goal will not only advance Turkey on the path of sustainable development in environmental terms but also in economic terms.