Environmental issues

Air pollution in urban areas is a significant concern in Turkey, mainly due to vehicle emissions and energy production. The impact on both human health and the environment is a frequent topic of discussion.
Water pollution, primarily from the discharge of industrial and municipal wastes, has adverse effects on the country’s aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Turkey is grappling with high levels of soil erosion caused by deforestation and improper agricultural practices.
The waste management systems in Turkey are still underdeveloped. Improper disposal and littering are major problems in both urban and rural areas.
Turkey’s unique biodiversity is under threat due to urbanisation, overgrazing, and pollution. Many species are under threat of extinction.

The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning is responsible for implementing Turkey’s environmental policies and regulations.
Turkey has made efforts to reduce air pollution by enforcing emission standards for vehicles and industry.
The government has implemented measures to prevent water pollution including waste water treatment and restrictions on dumping industrial waste into water bodies.
National and local initiatives are in place to improve waste management, which includes a push for recycling and the construction of modern waste treatment facilities.
Efforts to prevent soil erosion and deforestation include tree planting campaigns and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Turkey is a party to various international environmental agreements, reflecting the country’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.
It has signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Turkey is also a participant in the Convention on Biological Diversity, which strives to conserve biodiversity, enforce sustainable use of its components and ensure fair dispersal of benefits derived from genetic resources.
The country is part of the Barcelona Convention, protecting the Mediterranean Sea against pollution.
Turkey is committed to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, aiming to mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs.

Many NGOs and citizen groups in Turkey have adopted an active role in raising awareness about environmental problems.
Greenpeace Mediterranean and the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion are prominent examples.
Protests against large-scale projects with potential environmental harm, such as the Gezi Park protests in 2013, is a testament to the public’s increasing concern about environmental issues.
Such movements often discuss the role of individual responsibility and collective action in tackling environmental issues, which is a topic potentially useful for discussion in essays or oral examinations.