Page 37 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Zeynep Cansu Ayturan - Tuğba Dinçbaş
Halil Hasar

National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification (ÇMUSEP)

Türkiye prepared a National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat
Desertification in accordance with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD) 2018-2030 Strategic Framework in order to minimize the impacts
of drought and to combat desertification effectively. This plan intends to
prevent land degradation through sustainable ecosystem management, to
ensure food security by combating drought and to increase environmental
sustainability. Türkiye’s vision of combating desertification includes becoming
a leading country in reducing the effects of drought and land degradation
neutrality (LDN) (ÇMUSEP, 2019).
In this context, the main task is to develop and implement sustainable
land management and drought management strategies at the national and
international levels, to promote local participation and governance, as well
as to strengthen international cooperation. Türkiye’s National Strategy Paper
to Combat Desertification is based on main principles such as sustainability,
participation, effectiveness, transparency, accountability and scientific
approaches (ÇEM, 2013).

Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) (IDASEP)

The Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030)
prioritizes the combat against land degradation, erosion, sedimentation
and desertification. Prevention of improper land use and sustainable land
management practices as well as changes in soil carbon stocks and erosion/
sedimentation levels will be monitored regularly with the National Land Cover
Classification and Monitoring System (UASİS). In particular, issues such as
rehabilitation of degraded lands and adaptation to climate change in land use
will be supported by training of at least 100 experts and pilot projects. Nature-
based solutions that enhance soil fertility and carbon stocks, expanding the
practices such as biochar and tillage-free agriculture are also part of these efforts.
Furthermore, in order to increase awareness in the combat against erosion and
desertification, it is targeted to provide at least 10 technical trainings every
year and to deliver practical trainings about land management to at least 1000
people. All these activities seek to protect soil carbon and prevent erosion in
accordance with Türkiye’s goals of combating climate change (IDB, 2024a).

Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) (IDUSEP)

The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) aims
to prevent land degradation and restore ecosystems, focusing on combating
desertification and erosion. The preservation of soil carbon stocks, watershed

24 Journal of Environment, Urban and Climate