The proposal, which is Türkiye’s first “Climate Law”, was submitted to the Parliament after passing through the committee in February and was withdrawn in April; it was announced to the public that it would be brought to a newly established committee with the promise that a more participatory and transparent process would be carried out. However, the promise of participation for this critical legal regulation process, which concerns all segments of society, was not kept. The proposal was directly put on the agenda of the Parliamentary General Assembly in June without meaningfully including civil society organizations, local governments and subject experts working in the field of climate in the process.

The law, which was discussed and accepted in the TBMM General Assembly on July 2-3, prioritized legalizing the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which turns clean air into a commodity that can be bought and sold, rather than strengthening greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation policies against the climate crisis. While this system opened up new areas of profit for companies, social justice and climate justice goals were left in the background.

Deniz Ataç, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TEMA Foundation, pointed out that the law is not a “Climate Law” but an “Emissions Trading System Law” and said, “Unfortunately, a participatory and transparent process was not implemented in the preparation process of such a critical law concerning the future of society and nature. Instead of a holistic and science-based solution map to reduce the negative effects of the climate crisis, a narrow framework that prioritizes economic concerns was presented. The result was a law that prioritizes emissions trading, not society and nature.”

Paris Agreement and Scientific Facts Were Not Observed

Drawing attention to the fact that the law in its current form does not take into account scientific facts, Ataç said, “This approach also contradicts the spirit of the Paris Agreement. The goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1,5°C, as determined by the Paris Agreement, is one of the most important international commitments to which Türkiye is a party. However, this critical goal was not explicitly included in the Climate Law that was adopted; even the net zero emission target of 2053 was not defined as a binding provision.” He stated that many climate laws around the world include such goals in a clear, explicit and verifiable manner, and that Türkiye’s Climate Law contradicts scientific facts and the international agreements to which it is a party in this respect.

Fossil Fuel Phase-Out and Just Transition Ignored

Another of the most striking shortcomings of the law was the lack of a clear roadmap for the phase-out from fossil fuels. However, an effective fight against the climate crisis, whose negative effects are increasing due to human activities, requires the gradual reduction of fossil fuel use.

In addition, as social inequalities in society deepen with the climate crisis, it is vital to protect the most vulnerable groups such as women, children, farmers, laborers and the poor. Unfortunately, the law does not provide any concrete guarantees for the needs of these groups.

In addition to all this, the fact that only 10 percent of ETS revenues are allocated to just transition practices that will not leave anyone behind and that primarily include workers, their families and local people clearly shows that the law prioritizes capital, not citizens.

Emphasizing that all these regulations are quite insufficient to protect nature and society, Ataç said, “The steps that need to be taken against the negative effects of the climate crisis should be shaped by an approach that is compatible with scientific facts and takes into account the needs of all segments of society. The Climate Law, on the other hand, does not take into account vital issues such as the phase-out from fossil fuels and a just transition. Moreover, the law does not include an independent inspection institution that will monitor and supervise all these activities.”

“With the Climate Law, Nature and Humanity are the Losers”

TEMA Foundation Board Chairman Deniz Ataç emphasized that it is essential to protect all our natural assets and prioritize public interest for a more livable future, and said:

“The losers with the Climate Law were nature and humanity. As the TEMA Foundation, we believe that this law does not include steps to protect nature and society, is a regulation that is not based on scientific foundations, is not participatory and ignores the principles of social justice. In its current form, the law carries the risk of preventing Türkiye from carrying out an effective and holistic fight against the climate crisis. Our expectation is that this law, which contains these major deficiencies, will be rejected by the Constitutional Court before it causes further damage.”

Source: HORECA TREND and THEME Foundation

TEMA Foundation Board Chairman Deniz Ataç, drew attention to the fact that the proposal poses major risks not only in environmental terms but also in social and legal terms, and said:

“The Mining Law has been amended 4 times since it entered into force on June 1985, 30. Most of these amendments facilitated mining activities while weakening nature protection measures. Articles added in 2004 have largely liberalized mining. For example, with the amendment made to Article 7, many areas such as forests, national parks, and special environmental protection areas have become open to mining. The Mining Law has been positioned as a law above other environmental and nature protection laws. In addition to the amendments to the law, the Prime Ministry Circular No. 2009/7 has further paved the way for mining activities by weakening the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes. Each new regulation has increased the risk of destruction on nature and life. However, I regret to say that no amendment made to date has ever created such great pressure on natural and cultural assets. This proposal is based on a perspective that sees nature protection as an obstacle. This approach, which defines public interest in favor of companies, is completely far from protecting our natural assets, which are the source of life.”

Can 93% of its surface area be a city with a mining license?

Within the scope of the license map studies carried out by TEMA Foundation since 2019, the density of Group IV (gold, silver, coal, copper, nickel, etc.) mining licenses in 29 provinces was examined. This study revealed that an average of 67% of the surface area of ​​the provinces in question is licensed for these mines. 93% of Gümüşhane and 92% of Kütahya are covered by Group IV mining licenses.

Deniz Ataç, drawing attention to this situation, said, “In our study, we only looked at Group IV mining activities. Sand, marble, and stone quarries are not included in these rates. Only metallic mines, coal mines, and industrial raw materials are included in this group. In these licensed areas, nature is irreversibly damaged from the production process to the closure process. Even after the mine is closed and the company leaves the area, the heap leach, waste areas, and waste dams left on the site mean that the danger will continue for decades. For this reason, we repeat what our Founding Honorary President and Earth Grandfather, the late Hayrettin Karaca, said: 'If you want to live, you have to make others live.' For the integrity of the ecosystem and the continuity of life, our natural and cultural areas must be closed to mining activities by law. Because we know that if the law does not protect, the mine does not make others live.

“This Proposal Does Not Protect Nature, It Ignores It”

The bill that came to the General Assembly directly affects many regulations such as the Environmental Law, Pasture Law, Electricity Market Law and Renewable Energy Law, as well as the Mining Law. The amendments presented on the grounds of “economic stability” and “national interest” increase the pressure on our natural assets.

Stating that the bill weakens the principle of public interest and sees nature protection approaches as “obstacles” and suggests that “these obstacles” be removed, Ataç said, “This proposal does not protect nature, it ignores it. With the regulations presented, license and permit processes are accelerated in favor of investors. The period for public institutions to submit their opinions in EIA processes is limited to 3 months; opinions that are not responded to within the period are automatically considered positive. The management of all permit and license processes is gathered in a single institution, the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG). The way is opened for mining activities in protected areas. EIA processes are rendered ineffective. While we demand a law that prioritizes and protects soil, water, forests and pastures, the proposal we discussed today, which passed the commission on Friday, has caused deep sadness. If this proposal becomes law, protected areas will remain as “protected” only in name. As the TEMA Foundation, we have conveyed our opinions many times. We advocate that a legal framework that protects our soil, water, forests, pastures and olives; all our natural and cultural assets should be established. We are "While we continue our work in this direction, unfortunately it is not possible to find any trace of this approach in the draft law," he said.

The Danger to Water and Food Security is Huge, We Must Defend Life!

The discussions in the TBMM Commission, which convened with such a critical agenda, continued for 25,5 hours without interruption and unfortunately the proposal was accepted in the commission. This proposal will be discussed in the General Assembly of the Parliament.

If this proposal becomes law, mining pressure on our natural and cultural assets will increase, citizens' rights of ownership and participation will be limited, and urgent expropriation practices will become widespread.

Deniz Ataç, who stated that these regulations pose a danger not only to nature but also to many areas, said, “We must defend life. The enactment of this proposal also poses serious threats to farmers engaged in subsistence farming, rural life, food and water security. The provisions in the proposed law not only undermine the integrity of the ecosystem but also endanger the right of society to live in a healthy and safe environment. As the TEMA Foundation, we call once again; this proposal, which is clearly contrary to the Constitution and the international agreements we are a party to, must be rejected; our natural assets and the right to life of future generations must be protected.”

Source: HORECA TREND and THEME Foundation

The theme of World Water Day on March 21, 2025 is “Glacier Protection”, and it is stated that due to the serious effects that rapidly melting glaciers and irregular water flows will have on humans, agriculture, tourism, industry, energy and ecosystems, it is necessary to work together to put glacier protection at the center of plans to combat climate change and the global water crisis. Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Faculty Member and Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) President As the glaciers melt, our future and our livelihoods are also melting, he called for protecting our glaciers and water, and stopping climate change.

We Must Protect Our Glaciers

SÜT-D President Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu stated that “The United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared 2025 as the “International Year for the Protection of Glaciers” and that starting from this year, “March 21st World Glacier Day” will be celebrated. Our theme for the 2025 UN World Water Day is “Glacier Protection”. Water is in the air, on the surface, underground and in the oceans. Only 2,5 percent of water is fresh water, most of this water is in glaciers and the rest is in groundwater. There is very little fresh water in the air and on the surface. Approximately ten percent of the land area is covered with glacier ice and there are large-scale polar and smaller mountain glaciers. Glaciers, the water reservoirs of nature, are critically important for life and their melting water is indispensable for healthy ecosystems” and emphasized that while the water cycle of our planet is indispensable for the life of humans, plants, animals and microorganisms, access to water is the right of all of us. 2,2 billion people live without healthy drinking water. Water is everywhere. Drinking water; We live, survive and are happy with water as an input in agriculture and industry; as a source of energy; and as a route in tourism. While producing, consuming and providing services for other people, humans directly and indirectly cause greenhouse gas emissions, causing global surface and global ocean temperature increases, climate change and the rapid melting of our glaciers. The water cycle is becoming unpredictable,” he said, drawing attention to the urgent need to protect our glaciers.

Climate Change, Glaciers and Survival Strategy 

Prof. Karaosmanoglu “2015-2024 The last decade of 2024 was the warmest on record, while the global average surface temperature in XNUMX 1850-1900 The climate has changed rapidly with the first year record of 1,55°C above the average for the period. The climate is changing. The climate will change. Rainfall abnormalities, sea level rise; loss of snow, sea ice and glaciers; drought; heat wave; cold wave; heat island; fire; deterioration of air quality; migration; epidemics endanger our lives with climate change. We cannot ignore the destruction caused by the faster melting of glaciers than ever, and the problems that occur in humans and wildlife as the oceans warm. For example, fishing, difficulties in the lives of polar bears and penguins. For these reasons, protecting glaciers should be our survival strategy, we should reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we should take action and work together to manage melting water more sustainably for the benefit of people and the planet.

Türkiye, Our Glaciers and Carbon Management

Dr. Karaosmanoğlu said, “In our country, there are valley glaciers, cirque glaciers and summit glaciers in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains, Taurus Mountains and volcanoes. The largest and only summit glacier is on Mount Ararat with a surface area of ​​approximately 10 square kilometers. The largest and 20 thousand years old valley glacier is the Uludoruk Glacier on Mount Cilo. Experts state that our glaciers are melting between 1 and 20 meters per year and that if this trend is not stopped, the glaciers on Mount Cilo will disappear in the next 20-50 years. We are all responsible for climate change. We should reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at home, at school, at work, on the road, in the field and in the forest and say stop to climate change. There is no limit to the atmosphere and water. Each of us has a duty. With the primary goal of increasing Turkey's carbon management capacity, SÜT-D, with the main support of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and ITU, has been ranked as the “World's 2024th Most Sustainable; He announced that he will bring together his stakeholders at the 38th Istanbul Carbon Summit, the first and only of its kind, to be held on April 22-14, 15 at the Ayazağa Campus, which is “the 2025nd campus in Europe; the first in our country for eight years”, and that the SÜT-D 10 Low Carbon Hero Award application is ongoing.

Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D): SÜT-D was founded in 2013 by representatives from the public, business and academia with the aim of creating knowledge and capacity by working to create a strong impact on society in terms of sustainable production and consumption, by using the best energy, water and waste management and resource-efficient, best available technologies; combating environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss; and increasing awareness of sustainable development with a sustainable life culture that is friendly to people and nature. SÜT-D prioritizes working closely with official authorities, local governments, universities, civil society organizations and the media in its activities, and by tackling the social and technical aspects of “Sustainability Management”, and offers the green and blue power of civil society for the welfare and comfort of humanity today and tomorrow.

Source: HORECA TREND and Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D)