Page 73 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Günay Erpul - Özden Görücü - Atila Gül - Yusuf Güneş
Reşat Akgöz - Kenan İnce - Ünal Satı Yilmaz

1. Introduction

Countries and governments as well as official institutions, non-
governmental organisations (NGOs), professional disciplines and the public
are closely involved in reducing the adverse impacts of global climate change
and supporting the adaptation process (IPCC, 1990). In this context, various
strategies, policies and financing mechanisms are deployed at international
and national levels. This new economic order is considered as an ethical tool
for the conservation and sustainability of human health, natural ecosystems
and the cultural environment (Gül, 2024; Gül et al., 2023).
According to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, 25 percent of global
greenhouse gas emissions arise from land use (IPCC, 2014). The agricultural
sector accounts for a significant part of these emissions, and land misuse is a
phenomenon leading to climate change and it is considered as a consequence
of it. The IPCC estimates that 7.2 to 10.6 Gt (Gigatonnes) of CO2 equivalent
can be sequestered annually by 2030 through climate-friendly land use
(UNCCD, 2015).
The land use in a climate change sensitive way has significant potential
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable land management (SLM)
policies include conservation and planned use of land via decision support
systems (DSS), and establishment of carbon sink areas and carbon farming
(CF) practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This approach offers an
effective strategy to combat climate change by enabling soil to store more
carbon (Erpul et al., 2018; Erpul et al., 2020).
In addition to establishing carbon sink areas (CSAs), carbon farming can
increase ecosystem services and provide various sources of income for
producers. In this context, the studies on the role of Türkiye in the voluntary
carbon markets revealed that 325 projects were registered in the voluntary
carbon market as of September 2022. These projects have been certified by
the standards such as Gold Standard, Verra and GCC. It is estimated that
approximately 30 Mt (Megatonnes) of CO2 carbon credits can be produced
annually in Türkiye until 2030. However, carbon production from forestry and
afforestation projects to date is limited.

Türkiye has taken a significant step in this field with the ‘Research and
Development (R&D) Project on the Suitability of the New CSA Facility to be
Established by Private and/or Legal Entities in Non-Forest Areas for Carbon
Crediting and Certification’ (Anonymous, 2024a). The afore-mentioned project
is ongoing under the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and
Erosion and the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment,

60 Journal of Environment, Urban and Climate