Türkiye's First Climate Law
There is a growing acceptance that climate change represents one of the worst challenges facing the global community over the years. A fast shift in temperatures and weather conditions is the main parameter of that impact. That has been exacerbated by human activities particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Türkiye [Turkey] has been at the heart of changing climate conditions. As a response to the ever increasing criticisms, Turkish Parliament adopted a new legislation, called Climate Law numbered 7552. The available research will present a brief outline of core ingredients of the new Law in Chapter II and will go on further analyzing further opportunities to improve the same legal framework in Chapter III: Conclusion Part.
Regarding terminology, the present article, for the achievement of the objective, will prefer broad and even basic as well as clear description of the United Nations.[1] Therefore, for the purpose of the present work, “climate change” refers to ‘long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns’.[2]
In terms of methodology, for the main objective of the available work, the full text of the Climate Law numbered 7552 will be thoroughly reviewed all the way through the work. The present work seeks to achieve a room for understanding, absorbing and presenting a full-fledged evaluation and potential impacts of the new legislation. Therefore, other jurisdictions will fall outside of the context of the present work.
II- Historical Background for a Legislative Action in Türkiye
Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas causes greenhouse gas emissions covering the earth like a blanket and increasing the sun’s heat and raising temperatures. In this context, energy, agriculture, and transport represent major sources of methane emissions. Development presents one of the most significant challenges for climate protection. Therefore global organizations make a direct reference to the implementation of sustainable development goals. The UN articulates 17 goals dedicated to advancing prosperity while protecting the planet.[3] In this context, there has been a global recognition that ending poverty through economic growth must go hand-in-hand with full compliance with environmental safeguards.
It is worth setting out at this juncture that Türkiye is regarded as one of the most significant developing countries and investment hubs through its ever growing population, qualified youth workforce across the world.[4] That picture has been strengthened by the removal of Türkiye’s name from the grey list of the FATF.[5] Considering its economic advancement opportunities, it becomes clear that Turkey should also introduce a legal framework dedicated to the sustainable development strategies in line with international environmental benchmarks and standards.
Having said that despite ever advancement of financial conditions, Türkiye has been subjected to considerable criticism due to the lack of a protective legal structure against climate change. This handicap has a detrimental impact upon Türkiye’s alignment with international standards and principles dedicated to climate action.
The Turkish Government took a significant step in changing this picture. Such legislative change is expected to play a considerable role upon the paramount role of Türkiye in the fight against climate change. The new legislation is intended to set out the procedures and principles intended for greenhouse gas emission reduction through planning and acting.
III-An Overview of the Climate Law
After the adoption by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Climate Law numbered 7552 entered into force through the publication of the Official Gazette dated 9 July 2025 and numbered 32951.[6]
1. Main Objective Description
It is critical to observe that the fundamental purpose of 2025 Türkiye Climate Law is to combat climate change in line with the vision of green growth and the goal of net-zero emissions, as declared in Article 1. [7]
2. Core Terminology Definition
It is helpful to stress that Article 2 describes core terminologies. “Just Transition” is described as a transformation process for the fight against climate change while balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.[8]All segments of society are included—especially those most likely to be affected, such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
a regulator defines an upper limit (cap) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that may be emitted in clearly defined sectors of an economy (scope and coverage)
Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol,
Thus, a new commodity was created in the form of emission reductions or removals. Since carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, people speak simply of trading in carbon. Carbon is now tracked and traded like any other commodity. This is known as the "carbon market."
In accordance with the same Article, Emissions Trading System[9] refers to a national and/or international market-based mechanism operating on the principle of setting a max limit on greenhouse gas emissions in line with the net-zero emission target, and promoting the reduction of such emissions. The term “Net Zero Emissions” is used to refer to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through technology and other methods and/or offset through carbon sinks, resulting in no net increase in overall greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Main Principles for the Fight Against Climate Change
Article 3 regulates general principles for the role of national authorities and individuals for environmental protection. In the fight against climate change, the principle of equality, climate justice, precaution, participation, integration, sustainability, transparency, just transition, and progress shall be respected. Additionally, the Climate Law imposes targeted obligations on public institutions and organizations, as well as natural and legal persons to take into account the net zero emissions target policies, and measures shall be taken within this framework.
4. The Foundation of Emissions Trading System
Under Article 6, the Emissions Trading System is established by the Presidency of Climate Change. Under the ETS system, an obligation to obtain a permit for its activities is introduced for all sectors carrying out activities that directly cause greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Monitoring and Enforcement
It should be understood that the Law in question introduces the formation of the Carbon Market Board (Karbon Piyasası Kurulu in Turkish) for verification of gas emission values and supervising the greenhouse gas emission standards.
Article 14 enumerates the list of administrative sanctions and the Presidency of Climate Change (İklim Değişikliği Başkanlığı in Turkish) is granted to ensure inter-institutional coordination, monitoring the implementation of standards and regulating market-based mechanisms related to carbon pricing for the purpose of taking necessary measures.
In conclusion, the present work was intended to present comprehensive observations about Türkiye's First Climate Law. It becomes clear that the new legislation should be considered as an enormous step in founding a robust political and legal framework for combating climate change. The formation of the Presidency of Climate Change and the Carbon Market Board will pave the way for advancing a full-fledged legal and administrative framework. It is also clear that much work needs to be done for the way forward. A fair and equitable balance should be struck between the implementation of benchmarks and principles and the sustainable development goals of Türkiye. What is more, all levels of people including public and private sector, businessmen and natural or legal persons should also take responsibility to be cooperative in alignment of their lifestyle and institutional systems with the new Law.
[1] Hereinafter as the UN
[2] ‘What is Climate Change?’, Official Website of the United Nations, <https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change> accessed 14 July 2025
[3] ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, Official Website of the United Nations, <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/>, accessed 17 July 2025
[4] See inter alia Kutlay Telli, Handbook for Foreign Entrepreneurs on Turkey Investment Strategies (LEGAL, Istanbul 2023), 1
[5] With regard to expected outcome of the new perception of the FATF, Kutlay Telli, ‘Possible Implications of Türkiye’s Removal From Grey List by FATF’ (Linkedin Blog, 23 May 2025) <https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kutlay-telli-ph-d-91001558_fatf-taesrkiyebusiness-businessenvironment-activity-7331263742489288705-ExTH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAwat9wBKku8T4ZwV_049cGinkQGh9tiJko > accessed 25.5.2025
[6] For the full text from Official Website of the Official Gazette, <https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2025/07/20250709-1.htm> accessed 17 July 2025
[8] Internationally recognized definition of the “just transition” means a period that ‘no one is left behind or pushed behind in the transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economies and societies, can enable more ambitious climate action and provide an impetus to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals: UN Committee for the Development Policy, 2023 Ecosoc Theme Paperwork, <https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/CDP-excerpt-2023-1.pdf> accessed 20 July 2025
[9] The Emission Trading System was introduced by the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in December 1997. Article 17 stipulates that State Parties are under obligation for verification, reporting and accountability for emissions trading: Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted by the UN in 1998,
