:Climate change in Turkey

{{Excerpt|Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey}}

There were two significant periods of climate change in the Bronze Age.{{Cite web|last1=|last2=|date=30 October 2020|title=Study: Ancient people in Turkey adapted to climate change|url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/10/study-ancient-people-turkey-adapted-climate-change|url-status=live|access-date=|website=Cornell Chronicle|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101054118/https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/10/study-ancient-people-turkey-adapted-climate-change |archive-date=2020-11-01 }} According to Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Studies, human-caused climate change in Turkey started in the 1970s.{{Cite news|date=9 October 2020|title=Turkey in the midst of climate change, says climate expert|newspaper=Hürriyet Daily News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-in-the-midst-of-climate-change-says-climate-expert-158990|access-date=2020-11-11}} Coupled Model Intercomparison Project#CMIP_Phase_6 (CMIP6) models it well,{{Cite journal|date=2021-07-01|title=Intercomparison of the expected change in the temperature and the precipitation retrieved from CMIP6 and CMIP5 climate projections: A Mediterranean hot spot case, Turkey|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169809521001289|journal=Atmospheric Research|language=en|volume=256|pages=105576|doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2021.105576|issn=0169-8095|last1=Bağçaci |first1=S. Çağatay |last2=Yucel |first2=Ismail |last3=Duzenli |first3=Eren |last4=Yilmaz |first4=M. Tuğrul |bibcode=2021AtmRe.25605576B |s2cid=233546613 |url-access=subscription |hdl=11492/5003 |hdl-access=free }} however the CMIP6 Multi-Model Ensemble Mean is too coarse a resolution (2° × 1.5°) for the higher parts of Turkey.{{Cite journal |title= Recent and projected changes in climate patterns in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region|journal=Scientific Reports|date=2024 |pmc=11069548 |last1=Francis |first1=D. |last2=Fonseca |first2=R. |volume=14 |issue=1 |page=10279 |doi=10.1038/s41598-024-60976-w |pmid=38704514 |bibcode=2024NatSR..1410279F }} One example of climate change's impact will be on the distribution of rainfall: the descending edge of the Hadley cell (an area of circulation near the equator) may move northwards towards Turkey, whose southern border is around 36 degrees north, and this may reduce rainfall in the south of the country.{{Cite web |title=Climate |url=http://climatechangeinturkey.com/effects-of-climate-change-population.html |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=climatechangeinturkey.com}}

File:Show Your Stripes change in temperature graphic for All of Turkey with labels.png

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Koppen-Geiger Map v2 TUR 1991–2020.svg

| caption1 = Köppen climate classification map for Turkey, for the current climate period

| image2 = Koppen-Geiger Map v2 TUR 2071–2099 SSP245.svg

| caption2 = 2071–2100 map under a mid-range, relatively likely climate change scenario{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free |bibcode=2022ARER...47..343S }}{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=Cosmos |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn’t make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}

| alt1 = map of Turkey, roughly a horizontal rectangle, showing a complex pattern of climate types, including a fair amount of cold especially in the north and east

| alt2 = map of Turkey, roughly a horizontal rectangle, showing a complex pattern of climate types, but much less cold than the other map

}}

{{As of|2024}}, the hottest year on record was 2024 and second hottest 2010. Turkey is forecast to be more severely affected than many other countries,{{cite web|title=Warming a Frozen Policy: Challenges to Turkey's Climate Politics After Paris|work=Turkish Policy Quarterly |url=http://turkishpolicy.com/article/818/warming-a-frozen-policy-challenges-to-turkeys-climate-politics-after-paris}}{{cite report

|work=Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning

|title=Seventh National Communication (version 2) of Turkey under the UNFCCC (this is also the third biennial report)

|date=August 2019

|url=https://www.tr.undp.org/content/turkey/en/home/library/environment_energy/NC7-2019.html

}} but effects vary considerably across the regions of the country.

The weather is becoming more extreme, especially rainfall,{{Cite journal |last1=Albayrak |first1=Derya |last2=Sen |first2=Omer Lutfi |last3=Yucel |first3=Ismail |date=2022-12-30 |title=Spatiotemporal trends in daily and subdaily rainfall extremes and return levels in Turkey |url=https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.7906 |journal=International Journal of Climatology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=16 |pages=10337–10352 |bibcode=2022IJCli..4210337A |doi=10.1002/joc.7906 |issn=0899-8418 |s2cid=253783916|url-access=subscription }} and in 2021 there were extensive wildfires in the south and floods in the north. Wildfires in Turkey have increased{{Cite web|url=https://www.fethiyetimes.com/news/44-news/31660-climate-change-and-wildfires-a-vicious-circle.html|title=Climate change and wildfires - a vicious circle|last=Ward|first=Lyn|date=2019-08-27|website=Fethiye Times|access-date=2019-09-04}} due to climate change,{{Cite news|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/deforestation-prevention-key-to-fight-climate-change-146637|title=Deforestation prevention key to fight climate change|newspaper=Hürriyet Daily News|access-date=2019-10-01}}{{Cite web|title=91 of 101 forest fires under control in Turkey: Minister|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/environment/91-of-101-forest-fires-under-control-in-turkey-minister/2320116|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.aa.com.tr}} and wind speed is predicted to increase throughout the Marmara region. However, precipitation in the north varies less than in the south.{{Cite journal |last1=Yetik |first1=Ali Kaan |last2=Arslan |first2=Bilge |last3=Şen |first3=Burak |date=2024-01-01 |title=Trends and variability in precipitation across Turkey: a multimethod statistical analysis |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00704-023-04645-4 |journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology |language=en |volume=155 |issue=1 |pages=473–488 |doi=10.1007/s00704-023-04645-4 |bibcode=2024ThApC.155..473Y |issn=1434-4483}} More floods are predicted, due to rainfall replacing snow.{{cite news |title=Temperature to increase significantly in Turkey in 30 years due to global warming, warns climate expert |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/temperature-to-increase-significantly-in-turkey-in-30-years-due-to-global-warming-warns-climate-expert-128980 |work=Hürriyet Daily News |date=19 March 2018}} Seasonally, there may be more precipitation in the winter, but 50% less in spring and autumn.{{Cite web |title=Climate change responsible for spring and winter within weeks |url=https://www.trtworld.com/life/climate-change-responsible-for-spring-and-winter-within-weeks-43363 |access-date=2021-04-24 |website=Climate change responsible for spring and winter within weeks |language=en}} Heatwaves{{Cite journal |title=Observed changes and trends in heatwave characteristics in Turkey since 1950 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351024635 |journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology|bibcode=2021ThApC.145..137E |last1=Erlat |first1=Ecmel |last2=Türkeş |first2=Murat |last3=Aydin-Kandemir |first3=Fulya |date=2021 |volume=145 |issue=1–2 |page=137 |doi=10.1007/s00704-021-03620-1 |s2cid=233313907 }} and droughts are increasing,{{Cite journal |last1=Erlat |first1=Ecmel |last2=Türkeş |first2=Murat |last3=Güler |first3=Hakan |date=2022-12-30 |title=Analysis of long-term trends and variations in extreme high air temperatures in May over Turkey and a record-breaking heatwave event of May 2020 |url=https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.7821 |journal=International Journal of Climatology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=16 |pages=9319–9343 |doi=10.1002/joc.7821 |bibcode=2022IJCli..42.9319E |s2cid=251272921 |issn=0899-8418|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |last1=Yogun |first1=Buket |last2=Dursun |first2=Bahattin Can |last3=Aksu |first3=Aleyna Nur |last4=Hazar |first4=Ipeknur |last5=Tan |first5=Elcin |date=2022-05-01 |title=Heatwave Climate Variability of Historical CMIP5 and CMIP6 Protocols for Turkey |journal=EGU22, the 24th EGU General Assembly |pages=EGU22–12310 |doi=10.5194/egusphere-egu22-12310 |bibcode=2022EGUGA..2412310Y |doi-access=free }} at least in some parts of the country.

File:Sinop Sel.jpg are predicted to become more frequent as here in Sinop.|alt=road with large cracks being washed away by a roiling brown river]]

The Aegean rose by an estimated 4 mm a year in the early 21st century.{{Cite journal |last1=Calafat |first1=F. M. |last2=Frederikse |first2=T. |last3=Horsburgh |first3=K. |date=September 2022 |title=The Sources of Sea-Level Changes in the Mediterranean Sea Since 1960 |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans |language=en |volume=127 |issue=9 |doi=10.1029/2022JC019061 |issn=2169-9275|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022JGRC..12719061C }} Over 200 thousand people live in areas at risk if sea level rises by 1 meter.{{Cite web|title=Potential Impacts of Sea Level Rise on the Coasts of Turkey|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/327151922.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501150532/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/327151922.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-01 }} Istanbul is at risk from sea level rise;{{Cite web|title=Coastal floods in Turkey|url=https://www.climatechangepost.com/turkey/coastal-floods/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=Climatechangepost.com|language=en}} for example, Kadıkoy metro station is threatened with flooding. Tectonic uplift has decreased sea level rise between Samsun and Alanya, whereas several large river deltas have subsided.{{Cite web |title=Coastal floods in Turkey |url=https://www.climatechangepost.com/turkey/coastal-floods/ |access-date=2021-03-24 |website=Climatechangepost.com |language=en}}

File:Mount Ararat from Armash (3).jpg is retreating due to climate change,{{Cite journal |last1=Baldasso |first1=V. |last2=Soncini |first2=A. |last3=Azzoni |first3=R. S. |last4=Diolaiuti |first4=G. |last5=Smiraglia |first5=C. |last6=Bocchiola |first6=D. |date=2019-07-01 |title=Recent evolution of glaciers in Western Asia in response to global warming: the case study of Mount Ararat, Turkey |url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019ThApC.137...45B |journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology |volume=137 |issue=1–2 |pages=45–59 |doi=10.1007/s00704-018-2581-7 |bibcode=2019ThApC.137...45B |s2cid=125700008 |issn=0177-798X}} and will be gone before the end of the century.{{Cite journal|last1=Azzoni|first1=Roberto Sergio|last2=Sarıkaya|first2=Mehmet Akif|last3=Fugazza|first3=Davide|date=2020-04-01|title=Turkish glacier inventory and classification from high-resolution satellite data|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-020-00029-2|journal=Mediterranean Geoscience Reviews|volume=2|issue=1|pages=153–162|doi=10.1007/s42990-020-00029-2|bibcode=2020MGRv....2..153A |issn=2661-8648|hdl=2434/745029|s2cid=216608789|hdl-access=free}}|alt=not very sharp snow-capped mountain peak in the distance, under a blue sky with a few small clouds]]

Climate change has reduced rainfall in some regions and has made it less regular, which has put stress on hydroelectric power plants.{{Cite journal |last1=Bulut |first1=U |last2=Sakalli |first2=A |date=2021 |title=Impacts of climate change and distribution of precipitation on hydroelectric power generation in Turkey |doi=10.1088/1757-899X/1032/1/012043|journal=IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering|volume=1032|issue=1 |bibcode=2021MS&E.1032a2043B |s2cid=234299802 |at=Article 012043|doi-access=free }} Between 1979 and 2019 annual precipitation fluctuated from over 60 cm to under 45 cm, and average annual temperatures varied by 4 degrees.

Turkey is already a water stressed country, because the amount of water per person is only about {{convert|1,500|m3}} a year: and due to population increase and climate change it is highly likely the country will suffer water scarcity (less than 1,000 m³) by the 2070s. Little change is forecast for water resources in the northern river basins, but a substantial reduction is forecast for the southern river basins. Konya in central Turkey is also vulnerable.{{Cite journal |last=Gedik |first=Furkan |date=2021 |title=Meteorological Drought Analysis in Konya Closed Basin |url=https://iupress.istanbul.edu.tr/en/journal/jgeography/article/konya-kapali-havzasinda-meteorolojik-kuraklik-analizi |journal=Journal of Geography |issue=42 |pages=295–308 |doi=10.26650/JGEOG2021-885519|doi-access=free}} Charging for water used by agriculture has been suggested.{{Cite web |title=Water Efficiency Strategy Document and Action Plan in the Framework of Adaptation to the Changing Climate (2023 – 2033) |url=https://www.suverimliligi.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/su-vermliligi-eylem-plani-en.pdf}}{{Rp|pages=64-66}}

Producing beef in Turkey needs almost half as much again water as the global average,{{Cite web |title=Turkey. Water Along the Food Chain. Towards Water-Smart Agrifood Policies: The Case of Red Meat Processing. Country Highlights. FAO Investment Centre {{!}}Policy Support and Governance{{!}} Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |url=https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1040439/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=www.fao.org}}{{Rp|page=109}} but although climate change is causing droughts in Turkey,{{Cite web|last=Dr. Nuran|first=Talu|date=2019|title=Local Climate Action Planning and Practices in Turkey|url=http://www.iklimin.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/modul_10_en.pdf}}{{Cite journal|last1=Afshar|first1=Mehdi H.|last2=Şorman|first2=Ali Ünal|last3=Tosunoğlu|first3=Fatih|last4=Bulut|first4=Burak|last5=Yilmaz|first5=M. Tugrul|last6=Danandeh Mehr|first6=Ali|date=2020-08-01|title=Climate change impact assessment on mild and extreme drought events using copulas over Ankara, Turkey|journal=Theoretical and Applied Climatology|volume=141|issue=3|pages=1045–1055|bibcode=2020ThApC.141.1045A|doi=10.1007/s00704-020-03257-6|issn=1434-4483|doi-access=free|hdl=11511/38880|hdl-access=free}} feed for cattle is subsidized.{{Cite web |title=Turkey's livestock outlook: A glimpse into challenges and prospects |url=https://feedplanetmagazine.com/blog/turkeys-livestock-outlook-a-glimpse-into-challenges-and-prospects-3737 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=feedplanetmagazine.com}}

In coastal areas permanent wetlands, croplands and grassland are affected. Climate models predict that extreme weather events will increase in the Mediterranean Region.{{Rp|151}} Glaciers in Turkey are retreating:{{cite journal |last1=Baldasso |first1=V. |last2=Soncini |first2=A. |last3=Azzoni |first3=R.S.|display-authors=etal |title=Recent evolution of glaciers in Western Asia in response to global warming: the case study of Mount Ararat, Turkey |journal=Theor Appl Climatol |volume=137 |issue=1–2 |pages=45–59 |date=2018 |doi=10.1007/s00704-018-2581-7 |bibcode=2019ThApC.137...45B |s2cid=125700008 }} the largest remaining are the glaciers on Mount Ararat and these are forecast to be gone by 2065,{{Cite journal|title= A GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Model for Determining Glacier Vulnerability|year=2020|doi=10.3390/ijgi9030180|doi-access=free|last1=Yalcin|first1=Mustafa|journal=ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information|volume=9|issue=3|page=180|bibcode=2020IJGI....9..180Y}} as they are melting much faster than mountain glaciers in many other parts of the world. Because the climate in the south is forecast to become hotter and drier it may be very difficult to keep the current southern forests in Turkey. In the Marmara and Mediterreanean regions wildfires are associated with the warming trend of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin.{{Cite journal |last1=Arslan |first1=Hilal |last2=Baltaci |first2=Hakki |last3=Demir |first3=Goksel |last4=Ozcan |first4=Huseyin Kurtulus |date=2024-09-04 |title=Spatiotemporal changes and background atmospheric factors associated with forest fires in Turkiye |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-024-13027-w |journal=Environmental Monitoring and Assessment |language=en |volume=196 |issue=10 |pages=891 |doi=10.1007/s10661-024-13027-w |pmid=39230583 |bibcode=2024EMnAs.196..891A |issn=1573-2959|url-access=subscription }} Soil erosion is forecast to increase.{{Cite journal|last1=Berberoglu|first1=Suha|last2=Cilek|first2=Ahmet|last3=Kirkby|first3=Mike|last4=Irvine|first4=Brian|last5=Donmez|first5=Cenk|date=2020-07-07|title=Spatial and temporal evaluation of soil erosion in Turkey under climate change scenarios using the Pan-European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment (PESERA) model|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08429-5|journal=Environmental Monitoring and Assessment|language=en|volume=192|issue=8|pages=491|doi=10.1007/s10661-020-08429-5|issn=1573-2959|pmid=32638113|bibcode=2020EMnAs.192..491B |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716000000/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08429-5|archive-date=16 July 2020|s2cid=220375323}} [https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/163284/ Alt URL] The rise in sea surface temperature is one of the causes of marine mucilage in the Sea of Marmara,{{Cite web|last=Istanbul|first=Selin Uğurtaş in|date=2021-05-25|title=Turkey struck by 'sea snot' because of global heating|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/25/turkey-struck-by-sea-snot-because-of-global-heating|access-date=2021-05-25|website=the Guardian|language=en}} and is expected to further change marine life in Turkish waters.{{Cite journal|last1=Dabanli|first1=Ismail|last2=Şişman|first2=Eyüp|last3=Güçlü|first3=Yavuz Selim|last4=Birpınar|first4=Mehmet Emin|last5=Şen|first5=Zekai|date=2021-02-01|title=Climate change impacts on sea surface temperature (SST) trend around Turkey seashores|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-021-00544-2|journal=Acta Geophysica|language=en|volume=69|issue=1|pages=295–305|doi=10.1007/s11600-021-00544-2|bibcode=2021AcGeo..69..295D|s2cid=231886823|issn=1895-7455|url-access=subscription}} The sea surface temperature of the Black Sea has increased by 2 degrees,{{Cite web |title=Karadeniz'de deniz suyu sıcaklığı 2 derece arttı |url=https://www.ntv.com.tr/galeri/turkiye/karadenizde-deniz-suyu-sicakligi-2-derece-artti,DSh_TxkLMUmYTB88cQiROQ |access-date=2022-05-01 |website=www.ntv.com.tr |language=tr}} and there are concerns of brown bears not hibernating.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Animals can't hibernate amid prolonged summer conditions - Türkiye News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/animals-cant-hibernate-amid-prolonged-summer-conditions-189989 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}}

Environment Minister Murat Kurum estimated in 2021 that losses due to disasters, such as floods,{{Cite news |title=Pandemic stresses need for green transformation: Minister |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pandemic-stresses-need-for-green-transformation-minister-158332 |access-date=2021-04-29 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}} caused by climate change would amount to billions of lira (hundreds of millions of dollars).{{Cite web|title=Bakan Kurum: İklim Değişikliğiyle Mücadele Raporu'nu Meclise sunacağız|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/bakan-kurum-iklim-degisikligiyle-mucadele-raporunu-meclise-sunacagiz/2148006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217125056/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/bakan-kurum-iklim-degisikligiyle-mucadele-raporunu-meclise-sunacagiz/2148006 |archive-date=2021-02-17 }} The World Bank has estimated the cost and benefits of stopping net carbon emissions, but has suggested government do far more detailed planning.{{Cite report |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/37521 |title=Türkiye - Country Climate and Development Report |date=2022-06-13 |publisher=World Bank |language=en}} For companies which responded to the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2022 the main climate change risk to their businesses is carbon pricing, such as the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.{{Cite web |title=CDP Turkey Climate Change and Water Report 2022 {{!}} CDP Turkey |url=https://cdpturkey.sabanciuniv.edu/en/content/cdp-turkey-climate-change-and-water-report-2022 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=cdpturkey.sabanciuniv.edu}}{{Rp|page=10}}

According to the United Nations Development Programme, decreasing rainfall is exacerbating the wide social and regional disparities within Turkey, and the gap between south-eastern provinces and the rest of the country is widening.{{Cite web |title=Turkey {{!}} UNDP Climate Change Adaptation |url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/explore/europe-and-central-asia/turkey |access-date=2021-03-24 |website=www.adaptation-undp.org |language=en}} There are over 3 million refugees of the Syrian Civil War in Turkey.{{Cite web |title=Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response |url=https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria/location/113 |access-date=2021-02-11 |website=data2.unhcr.org}} But although severe droughts in Syria, such as those in 2007–2008 in the northeast, are made more likely by climate change in the Middle East,{{Cite journal |last1=Selby |first1=Jan |last2=Dahi |first2=Omar S. |last3=Fröhlich |first3=Christiane |last4=Hulme |first4=Mike |date=2017-09-01 |title=Climate change and the Syrian civil war revisited |journal=Political Geography |language=en |volume=60 |pages=232–244 |doi=10.1016/j.polgeo.2017.05.007 |issn=0962-6298 |doi-access=free|hdl=11858/00-001M-0000-002E-0CEE-D |hdl-access=free }} according to academics it is very unlikely that this was a cause of the Syrian civil war.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-29 |title=On Blaming Climate Change for the Syrian Civil War |url=https://merip.org/2020/09/on-blaming-climate-change-for-the-syrian-civil-war/ |access-date=2021-02-11 |website=MERIP |language=en-US}}

File:Turkish_Agriculture,_Forestry_and_Fishing_Industry_.jpg

Unless global emissions are greatly reduced agriculture in Turkey, such as wheat,{{cite news |title=Reducing emissions could mitigate worst effects of climate change, study finds |url=https://airqualitynews.com/2019/03/14/reducing-emissions-could-mitigate-worst-effects-of-climate-change-study-finds/}}{{Cite journal|last1=Rojas|first1=Maisa|last2=Lambert|first2=Fabrice|last3=Ramirez-Villegas|first3=Julian|last4=Challinor|first4=Andrew J.|date=2019-04-02|title=Emergence of robust precipitation changes across crop production areas in the 21st century|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=116|issue=14|pages=6673–6678|doi=10.1073/pnas.1811463116|issn=0027-8424|pmc=6452695|pmid=30858318|bibcode=2019PNAS..116.6673R|doi-access=free}} is expected to be severely affected after the late 2030s, especially in areas with rain fed agriculture. Arid and semi-arid areas are at risk of desertification.{{Cite report|last=|first=|date=|title=Desertification and Erosion in Turkey|url=https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/CEM/Belgeler/collesme%20belgeleri%20arsiv/Sayfa02/CEMxBROSxINGxMAIL.pdf|access-date=|website=}} Water is lost through evaporation due to "old-fashioned" irrigation techniques used by the Southeastern Anatolia Project, increasing the risk of severe water shortage.{{Cite web|title=Will Turkey's thirst for dam building add an element of combustibility to a regional water crisis?|url=https://www.equaltimes.org/will-turkey-s-thirst-for-dam|access-date=2020-02-13|website=Equal Times|date=10 February 2020 |language=en}}

Damage to agriculture{{cite web |last1=Ağaçayak |first1=Tuğba |last2=Keyman |first2=E. Fuat |title=Water and Food Security in Turkey in a Changing Climate |url=http://ipc.sabanciuniv.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/WaterAndFoodSecurity_PolicyBrief_web.pdf |publisher=Istanbul Policy Center, Sabancı University |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916164315/http://ipc.sabanciuniv.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/WaterAndFoodSecurity_PolicyBrief_web.pdf |url-status=dead }} is predicted to greatly increase,{{cite journal |last1=Dudu |first1=Hasan |last2=Çakmak |first2=Erol H. |title=Climate change and agriculture: an integrated approach to evaluate economy-wide effects for Turkey |journal=Climate and Development |date=2018 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=275–288 |doi=10.1080/17565529.2017.1372259 |bibcode=2018CliDe..10..275D |doi-access=free }} for example due to "false spring" germination or blossoming followed by a cold snap. The increase in early blooming, which is happening due to climate change, can be a problem for crops such as fruit trees.{{Cite web|title=Climate change bares its many faces in Turkey|url=https://www.trtworld.com/life/climate-change-bares-its-many-faces-in-turkey-42852|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Climate change bares its many faces in Turkey|language=en}} Vineyards in Thrace are being affected.{{Cite web|last=Gurbey|first=Alev Perihan|date=July 2020|title=Climate Change Problems in Agricultural Landscape Areas: Eastern Thrace Vineyards|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342736330}} A significant decline in agricultural production is transmitted throughout the economy and reduces national welfare.{{Cite journal|last1=Dudu|first1=Hasan|last2=Çakmak|first2=Erol H.|date=2018-04-03|title=Climate change and agriculture: an integrated approach to evaluate economy-wide effects for Turkey|journal=Climate and Development|volume=10|issue=3|pages=275–288|doi=10.1080/17565529.2017.1372259|bibcode=2018CliDe..10..275D |issn=1756-5529|doi-access=free}} More agritech co-operation with the EU and UAE has been suggested.{{Cite web |title=Climate Change Threatens Turkey's Role as a Food Supplier to Europe and the Middle East |url=https://www.turkeyanalyst.org/publications/turkey-analyst-articles/item/710-climate-change-threatens-turkey%E2%80%99s-role-as-a-food-supplier-to-europe-and-the-middle-east.html |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.turkeyanalyst.org |language=en}}

Reduced precipitation{{Citation|last1=Turkes|first1=Murat|title=Impacts of Climate Change on Precipitation Climatology and Variability in Turkey|date=2020|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11729-0_14|work=Water Resources of Turkey|pages=467–491|editor-last=Harmancioglu|editor-first=Nilgun B.|series=World Water Resources|place=Cham|publisher=Springer International Publishing|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-11729-0_14|isbn=978-3-030-11729-0|access-date=2020-10-24|last2=Turp|first2=M. Tufan|last3=An|first3=Nazan|last4=Ozturk|first4=Tugba|last5=Kurnaz|first5=M. Levent|volume=2 |s2cid=198403431 |editor2-last=Altinbilek|editor2-first=Dogan|url-access=subscription|hdl=11729/2241|hdl-access=free}} and hydroelectricity in Turkey is forecast,{{Cite web|url=http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/increasing-droughts-in-turkey-are-likely-to-put-pressure-on-its-hydropower-sector/|title=Increasing Droughts in Turkey are likely to put Pressure on its Hydropower Sector|date=2019-07-03|website=Future Directions International|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-07-11|archive-date=2019-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711191933/http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/increasing-droughts-in-turkey-are-likely-to-put-pressure-on-its-hydropower-sector/|url-status=usurped}} and Turkish dams in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins are reducing cross-border flow and exacerbating drought due to climate change in Iraq.{{Cite web |last=Tandon |first=Ayesha |date=2023-11-08 |title=Climate change: Intensity of ongoing drought in Syria, Iraq and Iran 'not rare anymore' |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/climate-change-intensity-of-ongoing-drought-in-syria-iraq-and-iran-not-rare-anymore/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Carbon Brief |language=en}} To conserve hydropower, solar power is being added next to the hydropower.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-08|title=Turkey expands renewables capacity in gigawatts rather than megawatts|url=https://balkangreenenergynews.com/turkey-expands-renewables-capacity-in-gigawatts-rather-than-megawatts/|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Balkan Green Energy News|language=en-US}}

File:Engraulis encrasicol, Istanbul.jpg may no longer grow properly in Turkish waters.{{Cite news|title=Commercial fishing of anchovy banned for 10 days|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/commercial-fishing-of-anchovy-banned-for-10-days-161483|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Hürriyet Daily News|language=en}}|alt=small silver fish in open polystyrene boxes labelled "Karadeniz hamsi kilo 7 lira"]]

Warming seas and invasive marine species, such as from the Red Sea, have received little media coverage. Fishing in the Black Sea is sensitive to the impacts of climate change,{{Cite book |editor1=Barange, Manuel |editor2=Bahri, Tarûb |editor3=Beveridge, Malcolm C. M. |editor4=Cochrane, K. L. |editor5=Funge Smith, S. (Simon) |editor6=Poulain, Florence |title=Impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture : synthesis of current knowledge, adaptation and mitigation options |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1078885208 |year=2018 |location=Rome |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |isbn=978-92-5-130607-9 |oclc=1078885208 |access-date=25 January 2023}} and according to the Turkish Marine Research Foundation all Turkish seas will be affected.{{Cite web|title=Climate Change and Turkish Seas {{!}} TUDAV|date=22 April 2018 |url=https://tudav.org/en/our-fields/climate-change/climate-change-and-turkish-seas/|access-date=2021-04-25|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Marine Aquaculture in Turkey: Advancements and Management|url=http://tudav.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Marine_Aquaculture_in_Turkey_2020_low.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229163801/http://tudav.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Marine_Aquaculture_in_Turkey_2020_low.pdf |archive-date=2020-12-29 }} Lake Van is shrinking due to climate change.{{Cite web |title=Türkiye's largest lake 'shrinking at dangerous levels' |url=https://bianet.org/haber/turkiye-s-largest-lake-shrinking-at-dangerous-levels-270458 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Bianet |language=en}}

Tourism in Turkey may become too hot in the summer for some people, for example Antalya could become too hot for some visitors during some school holidays.{{Cite web|title=How hot summers and disease could impact tourism in the Mediterranean {{!}} McKinsey & Company|url=https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/sustainability-blog/hot-summers-and-disease-threaten-tourism-in-the-mediterranean|access-date=2021-02-11|website=www.mckinsey.com|language=en}} Development of ski resorts in the Central Taurus and eastern Black Sea region mountains may not be possible.{{Cite journal|last1=Demiroglu|first1=Osman Cenk|last2=Turp|first2=Mustafa Tufan|last3=Kurnaz|first3=Mehmet Levent|last4=Abegg|first4=Bruno|date=2020-08-26|title=The Ski Climate Index (SCI): fuzzification and a regional climate modeling application for Turkey|journal=International Journal of Biometeorology|volume=65|issue=5|pages=763–777|language=en|doi=10.1007/s00484-020-01991-0|pmid=32845376|pmc=8116266|issn=1432-1254|doi-access=free}}

Climate change may impact health in Turkey, for example due to increased heatwaves,{{Cite report|url=http://www.tuba.gov.tr/tr/yayinlar/suresiz-yayinlar/raporlar/the-report-on-climate-change-and-public-health-in-turkey|title=The Report on Climate Change and Public Health in Turkey|last=Akademisi|first=Türkiye Bilimler|date=July 2020|publisher=Turkish Academy of Sciences|isbn=978-605-2249-50-5|access-date=2020-11-18|archive-date=2021-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501150536/http://www.tuba.gov.tr/tr/yayinlar/suresiz-yayinlar/raporlar/the-report-on-climate-change-and-public-health-in-turkey|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=Health and climate change country profile 2022 |url=https://reliefweb.int/attachments/50e8c5ff-3d1a-4061-8041-d003d050aba9/Health%20and%20climate%20change%20-%20country%20profile%202022%20-%20Turkey.pdf}} especially elderly and chronically ill people and children.{{Citation|last1=Bayram|first1=Hasan|title=Global Climate Change, Desertification, and Its Consequences in Turkey and the Middle East|date=2021|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54746-2_21|work=Climate Change and Global Public Health|pages=445–458|editor-last=Pinkerton|editor-first=Kent E.|series=Respiratory Medicine|place=Cham|publisher=Springer International Publishing|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-54746-2_21|isbn=978-3-030-54746-2|access-date=2021-03-24|last2=Öztürk|first2=Ayşe Bilge|editor2-last=Rom|editor2-first=William N.|url-access=subscription}} Wildfires in Turkey were the worst in the history of the republic in 2021 and killed several people and injured hundreds. Droughts risk mosquito borne diseases.{{Cite journal |last1=Polat |first1=Yeşim |last2=Yanikoğlu |first2=Atila |last3=Çeti̇n |first3=Hüseyin |date=2017-08-31 |title=Effects of Climate Change on Mosquito-Borne Diseases |journal=Anadolu University Journal of Science and Technology C - Life Sciences and Biotechnology |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=86–94 |doi=10.18036/aubtdc.296680 |issn=2146-0264|doi-access=free }} 1,350 people died because of floods between 1970 and 2014 in Turkey and about 2 million people were affected by those floods.

Environmentalists say that new highways and building concrete are hindering absorption of floodwater by the land.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=New homes, highways boost flood risk on Turkey's northern coast|url=https://arab.news/w9vhy|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Arab News|language=en}} Because of the increase in temperature, existing buildings will need more energy for cooling.{{Cite journal|last1=Dino|first1=Ipek Gursel|last2=Akgul|first2=Cagla Meral|date=2019|title=Impact of climate change on the existing residential building stock in Turkey: An analysis on energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and occupant comfort|journal=Renewable Energy |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332213083|access-date=|volume=141 |pages=828–846 |doi=10.1016/j.renene.2019.03.150|bibcode=2019REne..141..828D |s2cid=132673003 |hdl=11511/38528|hdl-access=free}}

{{Excerpt|Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey#Mitigation}}

A national strategy and action plan for adaptation to climate change was published in 2012, but as of 2025 Turkey has yet to submit a National Adaptation Plan to the UNFCCC.{{Cite web |title=Submitted NAPs from developing country Parties {{!}} NAP Central |url=https://napcentral.org/submitted-naps |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=napcentral.org}}{{Cite web |title=NAPs shared by developed country Parties {{!}} NAP Central |url=https://napcentral.org/developedcountriesnaps |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=napcentral.org}} The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is researching the effects of climate change and developing an adaptation strategy.{{Cite web|title=Protecting Forests in Turkey: Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Protection|url=https://www.afd.fr/en/actualites/protecting-forests-turkey-climate-change-adaptation-and-biodiversity-protection|access-date=2021-02-11|website=www.afd.fr|language=en}} An adaptation report was written in 2021.{{cite web|website=iklimeuyum.org|access-date=10 April 2024|url=https://iklimeuyum.org/documents/Climate_Change_Adaptation_Works_In_Turkey.pdf|title=Climate Change Adaptation Works In Turkey}}

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change coordinates activities to combat climate change in Turkey.{{Cite web|title=Turkey — Climate-ADAPT|url=https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/turkey|access-date=2020-12-01|website=climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu|archive-date=12 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812034220/https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/turkey/|url-status=dead}} Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said in 2023 that irrigation was being modernized and that thirsty crops, such as corn, were being swapped out of agriculture in Turkey.{{Cite web |title=Turkey to modernize irrigation system, farming to save water |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/energy-security/turkey-to-modernize-irrigation-system-farming-to-save-water/33597 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}

The Twelfth Development Plan (2024–2028) mentions adaptation.{{Cite report |title=Twelfth Development Plan (2024-2028) |url=https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Twelfth-Development-Plan_2024-2028.pdf |date=31 October 2023 |publisher=President of Turkey |access-date=16 February 2025}}{{Rp|pages=|page=218}} Water-conserving landscaping of green spaces in cities has been suggested,{{cite journal|last1=Çetin|first1=Nefise|last2=Mansuroğlu|first2=Sibel|last3=Kalaycı Önaç|first3=Ayşe|year=2018|title=Xeriscaping Feasibility as an Urban Adaptation Method for Global Warming: A Case Study from Turkey|journal=Pol. J. Environ. Stud.|volume=27|issue=3|pages=1009–1018|doi=10.15244/pjoes/76678|doi-access=free|bibcode=2018PJES...27.1009C }} and Istanbul has a climate change action plan.{{cite web|title=İstanbul İklim Değişikliği Eylem Planı|trans-title=Istanbul climate change action plan|url=https://www.iklim.istanbul/|url-status=live|access-date=17 April 2019|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830231849/https://www.iklim.istanbul/ |archive-date=2018-08-30 }} A 2023 study suggested that local climate change plans should be better integrated with local spatial plans.{{Cite web |title=Local Coping with Climate Change: Integrating Climate Action Plans and Spatial Plans |url=https://planningdesign-ataunipress.org/Content/files/sayilar/2/PLANARCH_202322039_nlm_new_indd.pdf |language=tr}} {{As of|2025|}} a climate change law has not been passed, although a draft was published in 2020,{{Cite web|date=December 2020|title=İkli̇m Deği̇şi̇kli̇ği̇ Kanunu|trans-title=Climate Change Law|url=https://pmrturkiye.csb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Taslak-Iklim-Kanunu-1.pdf|url-status=live|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410085117/https://pmrturkiye.csb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Taslak-Iklim-Kanunu-1.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 }} and redrafted in 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-23 |title=Türkiye drafts its first climate law |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-drafts-its-first-climate-law-205009 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}}

Climate change education is an option in 6th, 7th and 8th grades of education in Turkey.{{Cite web |last= |title="ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE" CURRICULUM IS COMPLETED |url=https://www.meb.gov.tr/environment-education-and-climate-change-curriculum-is-completed/haber/25946/en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220718215457/http://www.meb.gov.tr/environment-education-and-climate-change-curriculum-is-completed/haber/25946/en |archive-date=2022-07-18 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.meb.gov.tr |language=}} As of 2025 there is not much teacher training or school materials, however there is higher education and research at Boğaziçi University's Center for Climate Change and Policy Studies.{{Cite web |title=Türkiye {{!}} Climate change communication and education {{!}} Education Profiles |url=https://education-profiles.org/northern-africa-and-western-asia/turkiye/~climate-change-communication-and-education |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=education-profiles.org}} In 2025 results will be measured by the Programme for International Student Assessment.{{Cite news |last=Stock |first=Petra |date=2024-12-23 |title=How to teach climate change so 15-year-olds can act |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/24/how-to-teach-climate-change-so-15-year-olds-can-act |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

File:Küresel Isınmaya Hayır Mitingi, Kadıköy, İstanbul (08-12-2007).jpg.]]

Muslim environmentalists and academics quote the Quran in support of their environmentalism.{{Cite web|last=Bodetti|first=Austin|title=Why Turkish academic Ibrahim Ozdemir is pushing for an Islamic approach to environmentalism|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2019/9/12/ibrahim-ozdemir-one-of-turkeys-most-prominent-environmentalists|access-date=2019-10-01|website=alaraby|date=12 September 2019 }} In Istanbul in 2015, Islamic leaders urged the world's 1.6 billion Muslims to help defeat climate change.[https://unfccc.int/news/islamic-declaration-on-climate-change "Islamic Declaration on Climate Change"] UNFCCC, 18 August 2015{{cite web|title=Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change|url=http://www.ifees.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/climate_declarationmMWB.pdf|access-date=7 May 2019|publisher=The Islamic Foundation For Ecology And Environmental Sciences|archive-date=9 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209110721/http://www.ifees.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/climate_declarationmMWB.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In 2020 first lady Emine Erdoğan said that “Every wrong step we take can be a disaster for future generations”.{{Cite news|title=Turkish first lady urges action against climate change|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-first-lady-urges-action-against-climate-change/2091094}} In 2019 some Turkish schoolchildren joined the School Strike for Climate.{{Cite news|title='When adults fail, we need to take action,' says activist|website=Hürriyet Daily News|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/when-adults-fail-we-need-to-take-action-says-activist-146593|access-date=2019-10-01}}

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg and 15 other children filed a petition in 2019 protesting lack of action on the climate crisis by Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey{{cite web |url=https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/16-children-including-greta-thunberg-file-landmark-complaint-united-nations |title=16 children, including Greta Thunberg, file landmark complaint to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child |website=www.unicef.org |access-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925123907/https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/16-children-including-greta-thunberg-file-landmark-complaint-united-nations|archive-date=25 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1047292 |title=Countries violate rights over climate change, argue youth activists in landmark UN complaint |date=24 September 2019 |website=UN News|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925105953/https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1047292|archive-date=25 September 2019|url-status=live}} saying that, amongst other dangers, more deadly heat waves would affect them and other children in future.{{Cite web

|title=Communication to the Committee on the Rights of the Child

|url=https://childrenvsclimatecrisis.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019.09.23-CRC-communication-Sacchi-et-al-v.-Argentina-et-al-2.pdf

|date=23 September 2019

|website=Earthjustice

}}{{Rp|29}} The petition challenged the five countries under the Convention on the Rights of the Child:{{cite web |url=https://www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CRC_OP3_info_pack_web.pdf |title=Information Pack about the Optional Protocol to the Convention on theRights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3 CRC) |access-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013184521/https://www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CRC_OP3_info_pack_web.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2019 |url-status=live}} "Comparable emissions to Turkey's rate of emissions would lead to more than 4°C of warming."{{Rp|66}} If the petition is successful, the countries will be asked to respond; however, any suggestions are not legally binding.{{cite web |url=https://earther.gizmodo.com/its-kids-vs-the-world-in-a-landmark-new-climate-lawsui-1838343565 |title=It's Kids vs. the World in a Landmark New Climate Lawsuit |first=Brian |last=Kahn |date=23 September 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019 |work=Gizmodo | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190923170617/https://earther.gizmodo.com/its-kids-vs-the-world-in-a-landmark-new-climate-lawsui-1838343565 | archive-date = 23 September 2019 | url-status = live}}{{cite news |url=https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/greta-thunberg-leads-young-people-in-climate-complaint-to-un |title=Greta Thunberg Leads Young People in Climate Complaint to UN |date=23 September 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019 |work=Bloomberg | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190924041649/https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/greta-thunberg-leads-young-people-in-climate-complaint-to-un?utm_medium=ehsdesk&utm_campaign=530399D8-DE13-11E9-B270-A91350017A06&utm_source=twitter | archive-date = 24 September 2019 | url-status = live}} In 2020, Turkey and 32 other countries were sued at the European Court of Human Rights by a group of Portuguese children.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-03|title=Portuguese children sue 33 countries over climate change at European court|url=http://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/sep/03/portuguese-children-sue-33-countries-over-climate-change-at-european-court|access-date=2020-09-03|website=the Guardian}}

{{excerpt|Climate change litigation|Turkey}}

File:Müze Gazhane in January 2024 05.jpg in Kadıköy is the first climate change museum in Turkey.]]

In the 1990s independent Açık Radyo (Open Radio) broadcast some of the first media coverage of climate change, and its founder Ömer Madra {{in lang|tr}} emphasises "The three Y's in the fight on climate change: Yerel (local) Yatay (horizontal) and Yavaş (slow, no resort to violence)."{{Cite news|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/local-activism-at-the-heart-of-fight-against-global-heating-151893|title=Local activism at the heart of fight against 'global heating'|website=Hürriyet Daily News|access-date=2020-02-10}} The station continues, and İklim Haber (Climate News) also covers climate change issues in Turkish and English.{{Cite web|title=Hakkımızda|trans-title=About Us|url=https://www.iklimhaber.org/hakkimizda/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=İklim Haber|language=tr}} The climate impact of coal power is rarely discussed,{{Cite web |title=How journalists in Turkey are covering the climate crisis |url=https://ijnet.org/en/story/how-journalists-turkey-are-covering-climate-crisis |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=International Journalists' Network |language=en}} and nearly all Turkish media owners have financial interests in fossil fuels.{{Cite magazine|last1=Cengiz|first1=Pelin|last2=Zırığ|first2=Utku|last3=Şimşek|first3=Soner|date=January 2019|title=Thematic Journalism in Turkey: Environmental-Ecological Reporting|url=https://www.hyd.org.tr/attachments/article/511/saha2en.pdf|magazine=saha|volume=Special Issue 2|pages=16–23|issn=2149-7885}}{{Rp|17,20}} The media covers climate change only during extreme weather events, with insufficient expert opinions or civil-society perspectives.{{Cite magazine|last1=Şahin|first1=Ümit|last2=Türkkan|first2=Seçil|date=January 2019|title=Turkey's Climate Policies Have Reached a Deadlock: It Takes Courage to Resolve It|url=https://www.hyd.org.tr/attachments/article/511/saha2en.pdf|magazine=saha|volume=Special Issue 2|pages=24–30|issn=2149-7885}}{{Rp|28}} Some think tanks, such as Ember, are respected by both industry and environmentalists. Ufuk Alparslan, Ember’s regional lead, says that readers are enthused by solar power increasing energy independence and reducing import costs, but are not much interested in the climate benefits. The arts are raising awareness of climate change (although some are sponsored by companies whose environmental policies have been criticised),{{Cite web|date=2021-11-12|title=Turkey's Sertab raises climate change awareness with new song 🇹🇷|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/sertab-new-song|access-date=2021-12-08|website=Eurovision.tv|language=en-gb}} and education is supported by the EU.{{Cite news|date=2019-08-29|title=Turkey's stage-struck grannies act to save the planet|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-49496227|access-date=2019-09-04}}{{cite web |title=Enhancing Required Joint Efforts on Climate Action Project |url=http://www.iklimin.org/en/proje-hakkinda/}} Protests against opencast coal mining, such as at Akbelen Forest, have been covered by small media outlets such as Yeşil Gazete and Kaldıraç Magazine.

File:20231129 Survey - I expect to be displaced by climate change - Ipsos.svg

Individual action on climate change is not properly understood (in a survey of primary school teachers many erroneously prioritised using less cosmetics) and neither are government choices on climate change mitigation (in the same survey only a minority correctly prioritised curbing fossil fuel use).{{cite journal |last1=Yalcin |first1=Fatma Aggul |last2=Yalcin |first2=Mehmet |title=Turkish Primary Science Teacher Candidates' Understandings of Global Warming and Ozone Layer Depletion |journal=Journal of Education and Training Studies |date=2017 |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=218 |doi=10.11114/jets.v5i10.2225 |doi-access=free }} Future warming of seawater by Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is wrongly thought by some to be relevant to climate change.{{cite book|url=http://sertifika.tema.org.tr/_Ki/CevreKutuphanesi/Documents/Iklim-Degisiklik-Yerel-Etkileri-Rapor-Kitapcigi.pdf|title=İkli̇m Deği̇şi̇kli̇ği̇ni̇n Yerel Etki̇leri̇ Raporu|date=March 2015|publisher=Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion and WWF-Turkey|isbn=978-975-7169-77-2|language=tr|trans-title=Report on local effects of climate change|access-date=2018-10-11|archive-date=2019-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328230827/http://sertifika.tema.org.tr/_Ki/CevreKutuphanesi/Documents/Iklim-Degisiklik-Yerel-Etkileri-Rapor-Kitapcigi.pdf|url-status=dead}}

İklim Haber (Climate News) and KONDA Research and Consultancy found in 2018 that over three-quarters of public opinion on climate change thinks that extreme weather has increased.{{Cite web|title=Turkey Climate Survey|url=https://www.iklimhaber.org/climatesurvey2018/|year=2018|website=İklim Haber}} Over 70% of the public acknowledge that current climate crisis is a result of human activities.{{Cite web|date=November 2020|title=Türki̇ye'de İkli̇m Deği̇şi̇kli̇ği̇ Ve Çevre Sorunları Algısı 2020|trans-title=2020 opinion about climate change and environmental issues in Turkey|url=https://www.iklimhaber.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/konda-arastirma-rapor-2020s.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=30 November 2020|website=İklim Haber|pages=12–18|language=tr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126080248/https://www.iklimhaber.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/konda-arastirma-rapor-2020s.pdf |archive-date=2020-11-26 }} Some construction companies have been accused of greenwashing, advertising their buildings as environmentally friendly without obtaining any green building certificates.{{cite journal|last1=Erden|first1=Oğulkan|last2=Erkartal|first2=Pınar ÖKTEM|date=2019-09-02|title=Greenwashing in Turkey: Sustainability as an Advertising Strategy in Architecture|url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/797896|journal=A+Arch Design International Journal of Architecture and Design|volume=5|issue=1|pages=1–13}}

In a 2019 E3G poll of six Belt and Road Initiative countries (including Turkey), solar was the most popular energy source and coal the least popular.{{Cite web|date=2019-04-25|title=Polling finds citizens in six belt and road countries want clean energy, not coal|url=https://e3g.wpengine.com/media-room/polling-citizens-six-belt-and-road-countries-want-clean-energy-not-coal/|access-date=2020-09-30|website=E3G}} Twenty-four Turkish cities committed to the Paris Agreement targets that year,{{Cite web|last=Schulz|first=Florence|date=2019-12-10|title=24 Turkish cities oppose Erdogan, support Paris Climate Agreement|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/24-turkish-cities-oppose-erdogan-support-paris-climate-agreement/|access-date=2020-05-27|website=www.euractiv.com}} and the United Nations Development Programme partnered with the Turkish Basketball Federation in 2020 to raise public awareness of the fight against climate change.{{Cite news|title=Bringing sustainable development into play: UNDP teams up with basketball federation to raise awareness|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bringing-sustainable-development-into-play-undp-teams-up-with-basketball-federation-to-raise-awareness-152160|access-date=2020-05-27|website=Hürriyet Daily News}} A 2020 study found that the level of public support for a potential carbon tax does not depend on whether the proceeds are used for mitigation and adaptation.{{Cite journal|last1=Uyduranoglu|first1=Ayse|last2=Ozturk|first2=Serda Selin|date=2020-10-20|title=Public support for carbon taxation in Turkey: drivers and barriers|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2020.1816887|journal=Climate Policy|volume=20|issue=9|pages=1175–1191|doi=10.1080/14693062.2020.1816887|bibcode=2020CliPo..20.1175U |issn=1469-3062|s2cid=222094247|url-access=subscription}} In 2023 a draft law was proposed including public information and adding climate change to education in Turkey. In 2024 a climate portal was created and Turkish citizens can log in to it.{{Cite web |title=Türkiye's first Climate Portal launched to accelerate climate action |url=https://www.undp.org/turkiye/press-releases/turkiyes-first-climate-portal-launched-accelerate-climate-action |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=UNDP |language=en}} Similar to global public opinion most Turks favour climate action.{{cite journal | url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-01925-3 | doi=10.1038/s41558-024-01925-3 | title=Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action | date=2024 | last1=Andre | first1=Peter | last2=Boneva | first2=Teodora | last3=Chopra | first3=Felix | last4=Falk | first4=Armin | journal=Nature Climate Change | volume=14 | issue=3 | pages=253–259 | bibcode=2024NatCC..14..253A }}

File:Mediterranean_Climate_Change_Initiative_2.jpg with other country leaders at a meeting of the Mediterranean Climate Change Initiative in 2010.]]

According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, climate change is one of the world's biggest problems.{{cite web |title=Climate Change and International Negotiations |url=http://www.enerji.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Climate-Change-and-International-Negotiations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200850/http://www.enerji.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Climate-Change-and-International-Negotiations |archive-date=28 September 2018 |access-date=28 September 2018 |publisher=Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Turkey)}} Turkey was the fifth-largest recipient of multilateral climate funds between 2013 and 2016, receiving $231 million through channels such as the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).{{cite web |date=3 May 2018 |title=The Carbon Brief Profile: Turkey |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/carbon-brief-profile-turkey |access-date=1 October 2018 |website=Carbon Brief}}

In 2021, Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement, with all parliamentary members voting to ratıfy.{{Cite web |title=Turkey finally ratified the Paris Agreement. Why now? |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/turkey-finally-ratified-paris-agreement-why-now |access-date=2021-12-02 |website=Middle East Institute |language=en}} Prior to this, it was one of the last few remaining countries, alongside neighboring country Iran, to not have ratified the agreement. It was the last of the G20 countries to ratify. Their reason for delay, according to the current presidency at the G20 summit in 2020, was the countries "negligible historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions (less than 1%)". Turkey is not party to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention).{{Cite web |title=United Nations Treaty Collection |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-4&chapter=27&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301045913/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-4&chapter=27&lang=en |archive-date=2021-03-01 |access-date=2020-10-11 |website=treaties.un.org}} In 2021 Turkey ratified the Kigali Amendment to reduce production and use of hydrofluorocarbons.{{Cite web |title=United Nations Treaty Collection |url=https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=XXVII-2-f&chapter=27&clang=_en |access-date=2020-11-24 |website=treaties.un.org |language=EN}} Armenia says that dam construction in Turkey has combined with climate change to reduce flow in the Araks River basin.{{cite news |date=23 March 2021 |title="Use every drop of water sparingly" –hydrometeorologist warns as Turkish dams and climate change cut resources |agency=Armenpress |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1046870.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324193926/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1046870.html |archive-date=24 March 2021}}

Turkey sent over a thousand representatives to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference and joined various initiatives, such as decarbonizing cement production. However it was criticised for not voting to phase-out fossil fuels, with Umit Şahin at Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center saying that would be good for the economy as Turkey is a fossil fuel importer.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=COP28: Türkiye rekor sayıda temsilciyle katıldığı Birleşmiş Milletler (BM) İklim Değişikliği Konferansı'nda istediğini elde etti mi? |url=https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/c519y4wnz54o |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=BBC News Türkçe |language=tr}}

{{Commons category}}

• Turkish State Meteorological Service
• Climate change in Cyprus
• Climate change in Europe
• Climate change in Asia
• Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://unfccc.int/documents?search2=&search3=&f%5B0%5D=country%3A1489 Documents submitted to the UNFCCC by Turkey]
• [https://mgm.gov.tr/eng/yearly-climate.aspx?year=2023 Yearly climate reports]
• [https://iicec.sabanciuniv.edu/ Istanbul International Centre for Energy and Climate]
• [http://climatechangeinturkey.com/ Climate Change in Turkey:Istanbul Policy Center: Sabanci University]
• [https://www.iklimhaber.org İklim Haber (Climate News)] – Newspaper focusing on climate change
• [https://climate-laws.org/geographies/turkey Climate Laws] - Laws, policies and litigation
• [https://iklimportal.gov.tr/ Climate Portal] - 'scientifically verified and reliable studies on climate change'

{{Climate change regions|state=expanded}}{{Turkey topics}}

Category:Climate of Turkey

Turkey