Page 38 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Evaluation of Desertification and Erosion Combat Efforts With Regards to
Paris Agreement Commitments and Net Zero Emission 2053 Targets

management and nature-based solutions have been identified as the main
elements of climate adaptation studies. In this context, integrated watershed
management applied in agricultural and forestry areas, soil and water
conservation projects, the creation of windbreaks to prevent wind erosion
are among the prominent activities. Moreover, the protection of seagrass,
restoration of wetlands, green infrastructure applications that support
biodiversity have also been identified as important tools for reducing erosion
and preventing land degradation. In particular, the ecological restoration
works performed on the Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts of Türkiye
contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems as carbon sinks; these
works are of great importance in terms of promoting adaptation to climate
change, as well. These strategies are also in line with the studies aimed at
protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services by preventing deforestation.
Actions to be implemented target at improving the land management through
ecosystem-based approaches in the regions highly affected by climate
change. These strategies are critical both for combating climate change and
for the sustainability of ecosystem services (IDB, 2024b).

Revised First Nationally Determined Contribution Statement of
Republic of Türkiye (NDC)

Within the framework of the revised First Nationally Determined Contribution
Statement of Türkiye, the combat against desertification and erosion was
highlighted in the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector
especially in the period 2023-2030. In this scope, nature and technology-based
solutions that increase the sink capacity, such as improved and sustainable
forest management, afforestation, protection of rural and agricultural lands
and improvement of pasture lands, are encouraged. Furthermore, it is aimed
to prevent, control and reduce desertification and land degradation. This
struggle is considered as one of the most important pillars in the combat
against climate change in the ecologically vulnerable geography of Türkiye,
especially forests; soil and water conservation applications are developed in
order to minimise the effects of erosion and desertification (IDB., 2023).
The topic of combating desertification and erosion has an important
place in the national policy documents (NDC, TOBSP, ÇŞİDBSP) and action
plans (ÇMUSEP, IDASEP, IDUSEP) related to the environment, urbanisation,
agriculture, forestry and climate change, and has been particularly emphasized
in the 2030 goals. The strategic approaches for combating desertification and
erosion mentioned in these documents are described below.

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Special Issue / 2024