Page 42 - 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

Development Mechanism (CDM) in the Kyoto Protocol. In the scope of this
mechanism, projects that generate carbon credits can be used voluntarily by
both countries and private companies.
Voluntary carbon markets are systems in which private companies or individuals,
rather than governments, invest in projects to offset carbon emissions, and these
markets provide important opportunities for efforts to combat desertification
and erosion. Thanks to carbon offsetting mechanisms, enhancing the amount
of forests, afforestation projects and soil rehabilitation can be promoted; thus
it will allow the increase in the carbon storage capacities of them as well as the
prevention of erosion. In this process, funding through voluntary carbon credits
can support the achievement of sustainable development goals by encouraging
the participation of local people in these projects. In the combat against
desertification and erosion, projects such as soil carbon restoration through
rehabilitation of degraded lands, increasing forests and green areas can be
addressed in accordance with Türkiye’s national goals, and the contributions of
voluntary carbon markets in this area can be considered.
Türkiye adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015 and signed it on April 22,
2016. The agreement was ratified by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on
October 7, 2021. One of the most important targets set by Türkiye within the
scope of the Paris Agreement is to reach net zero emission level by 2053.
This target reveals Türkiye’s determination to combat climate change and
its plans for future low-carbon development (TCDB, 2022; IDB, 2022).
Before becoming a party to the agreement, Türkiye declared the “Intended
Nationally Determined Contribution” (INDC) by 2030 and set a reduction
target from an increase of up to 21%. This target indicates that Türkiye
is committed to limiting its emissions to a certain level and not increasing
them until 2030. At the COP27 meeting held in Egypt in November 2022,
Türkiye updated this target and increased it to 41% and announced that it will
reduce emissions by about 500 million tons by 2030. This important revision
shows Türkiye’s increasing determination to combat climate change and its
willingness to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement (TCDC, 2022).
Within the scope of the agreement, Türkiye sets targets on financing,
technology transfer and capacity building and aims to encourage low-carbon
technology investments in line with the international supports it will receive
through its own means. Thus, certain steps are taken, especially in development
of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of
industry. Moreover, studies are also performed on adapting to the impacts
of climate change, and top policy documents, strategies and action plans are
prepared under the coordination of the Directorate of Climate Change with
the contribution of relevant institutions and organizations.

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Special Issue / 2024