Turkey: Environmental Law

Avrupa Birliği’nin (“AB”) iklim değişikliği ile mücadele politikalarının temel unsurlarından biri olan Avrupa Yeşil Mutabakatı kapsamında, sera gazı emisyonlarının azaltılması ve 2050 yılı itibarıyla iklim nötr bir ekonomiye ulaşılması hedeflenmektedir.

Turkey's Green Taxonomy Regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for classifying economic activities based on environmental sustainability criteria. How will this new regulatory system impact corporate reporting obligations, access to sustainable finance, and the role of financial institutions in Turkey's transition to a low-carbon economy?

Turkey's Green Taxonomy Regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for classifying environmentally sustainable economic activities, introducing mandatory reporting requirements for financial...

Hydroelectric power plants (HPP) play a central role in Türkiye’s renewable energy strategy due to their low operating costs compared to fossil fuels, long operational lifespans, high efficiency rates, and clean structure that does not produce atmospheric emissions. The first planning and investments for hydroelectric energy production in Türkiye began in 1950’s, and historically, the majority of these investments have been carried out by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ).

Turkey's Wetlands Protection Regulation has been amended with significant changes affecting energy investments, particularly hydroelectric plants, dams, and renewable energy facilities. The new rules introduce environmental flow requirements, permit mechanisms for existing facilities, and establish frameworks for renewable energy installations in artificial wetlands.

Türkiye Emisyon Ticaret Sistemi Yönetmeliği (“Yönetmelik”), 27 Ağustos 2026 tarihli ve 33353 sayılı Resmî Gazete’de yayımlanarak aynı tarihte yürürlüğe girmiştir. Yönetmelik ile 7552 sayılı İklim Kanunu (“İklim Kanunu”) uyarınca Türkiye Emisyon Ticaret Sistemi’nin (“ETS”) kapsamı sera gazı emisyon izni, izleme, raporlama ve doğrulama, tahsisatlandırma ve piyasa işleyişine ilişkin temel kuralları düzenlemektedir.

In this process, Turkish energy legislation has not been limited to regulations that merely incentivize renewable energy investments; it has developed comprehensive regulations in many areas, such as the licensing of production activities, grid connection, land-use permits, environmental obligations, support mechanisms, and integration into the electricity market.

Mining is a sector of strategic importance to the Turkish economy; however, it is also one of the fields of activity capable of generating significant environmental impacts.

Madencilik sektörü, Türkiye ekonomisi açısından stratejik öneme sahip olmakla birlikte, çevre üzerinde önemli etkiler yaratabilen faaliyet alanlarından biridir.