Page 43 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Zeynep Cansu Ayturan - Tuğba Dinçbaş
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4. The Role of Combatin g Desertification and Erosion for the
Net Zero Emission Target

Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero Emission target has been determined as a central
element of the combat against climate change and various strategic plans
have been implemented in line with this goal. In this regard, the combat
against desertification and erosion plays a vital role both in terms of preventing
land degradation and protecting carbon sinks. Changes in drought, extreme
temperature and precipitation regimes, in particular, caused by climate
change lead to serious pressures on agriculture, forestry and water resources
in Türkiye, which increases the risk of desertification. For this reason, efforts to
combat desertification should be continued in compliance with the Net Zero
Emission targets.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
provides a framework that strengthens international cooperation in Türkiye’s
fight against desertification. Türkiye became a party to this agreement in 1998
and has implemented many projects to prevent land degradation and protect
ecosystems during this period. Especially, the “Ankara Initiative” adopted
during the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP12) held in Ankara in
2015, provided an opportunity for Türkiye to share experiences in the field
of sustainable land management with African countries. Such international
initiatives also contribute to Türkiye’s leadership in the combat against
desertification at the global level (OSB, 2015).
Protecting and increasing Türkiye’s forests also plays an important role in
achieving Net Zero Emission targets. However, growing erosion risks due to
forest fires and climate change threaten these efforts. The fact that 60% of
the country’s forests are vulnerable to fire, along with climate change, poses
a serious risk. The large-scale forest fires occurring in recent years lead to
a decrease in Türkiye’s carbon sinks and affect negatively the ecosystem
balance. Therefore, measures to be taken against forest fires and ecosystem-
based solutions within the scope of combating desertification will play a key
role in achieving the Net Zero Emission targets of 2053 (IDB, 2024b).
The prevention of desertification and land degradation in line with Türkiye’s
2053 Net Zero Emission target is not only an environmental requirement, but
also of great importance in terms of economic and social sustainability. The
prevention of land degradation is essential for the continuity of agricultural
production, the protection of water resources and the ensuring the food security.
In order to achieve these targets, Türkiye continues to integrate its strategic
plans in the field of combating climate change, desertification and biodiversity
loss and increases cooperation at the national and international levels.

30 Journal of Environment, Urban and Climate