Restoring the Lost Balance on Land and Sea: Turkey's Climate Law

No more talk, it’s time for action

Turkey has long prioritized addressing climate change. Although calls for action have grown louder in the wake of disasters, the issue has often fallen off the public agenda. Passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on July 2, 2025, and published in the Official Gazette on July 9, 2025, the Climate Law is a regulation that breaks this vicious cycle.

The Climate Law presents a vision that transcends environmental policy. It aims to protect natural resources, ensure that economic development is compatible with the principle of sustainability, and reduce disaster risks. By doing so, Turkey has established its national commitment to the global climate struggle within a concrete, applicable, and measurable framework.

What does the 2025 Climate Law bring?

It is a law that prioritizes the environment and people

This summer, Turkey experienced the severe effects of the climate crisis. In Izmir, for example, the capacity of the dams fell below five percent, prompting municipalities to implement mandatory nighttime water cuts. A total of 3,067 fires damaged forests and villages. Drought in Central Anatolia reduced wheat cultivation by half.

The concrete steps to be taken in this regard can be summarized as follows:

Forest areas burned in villages will be reforested quickly after the fires, and affected families will receive support to rebuild their livelihoods.

Early warning systems will be installed in high-risk fire areas, and a drone- and artificial intelligence-supported surveillance network will be deployed to combat fires.

Drip irrigation systems will be installed for farmers affected by drought, and drought-resistant seeds will be provided.

Rainwater harvesting and gray water recycling systems will be implemented in areas experiencing water shortages.