NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL ) –PIA BOZYEL – A series of capacity-building trainings supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) brought together 590 participants across Türkiye in March, bolstering the country’s efforts in combating climate change and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Organized under the Capacity Building on Long-Term Climate Change Strategy in Türkiye Project, the sessions were held in cooperation with the Directorate of Climate Change under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
The program aimed to enhance the knowledge and capacity of decision-makers and implementers, ensuring their effective involvement in long-term climate planning aligned with national and international strategies, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants from a wide range of sectors—such as environment, energy, agriculture, and industry—as well as representatives from public institutions, local administrations, academia, civil society, and research bodies took part in the sessions.
The first training was held on March 10 in Konya under the theme “Climate Change and Agriculture,” where representatives from local and national institutions discussed regional impacts and proposed solutions.
On March 12-13, an online session on “Climate Change and Vulnerabilities” explored the social dimensions of climate change, legal frameworks, and the importance of a just and inclusive transition.
A training in Gaziantep on March 21 focused on “Climate Action and Energy Systems in Urban Areas,” addressing urban climate policies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation.
Further sessions were held in Ankara, Kocaeli, and online between March 20-26 under the title “Long-Term Climate Change Strategy Trainings,” covering Türkiye’s net-zero target, carbon markets, green transformation, and local climate strategies.
Two separate trainings on Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) were held on March 18 and 27 for Directorate of Climate Change personnel, while a session on the Climate Portal Additional Module took place on March 28 for officials from the Department of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Policies.
A workshop was also convened in Ankara on March 19 with the participation of Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Fatma Varank and Director of Climate Change Presidency Halil Hasar. The workshop evaluated Türkiye’s long-term climate strategy in detail.
The training program, which forms part of the LTS Project launched in December 2023, is regarded as a major contribution to raising awareness, advancing climate policy, and enhancing intersectoral cooperation in Türkiye.
