Eskişehir is one of Turkey's 30 major cities. Known for having the country's second largest organized industrial zone and rich underground resources, it also stands out as a significant university and cultural city.
Eskişehir Municipality has taken proactive steps towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience, exemplified by their commitment to the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). This comprehensive initiative, initiated to mitigate climate change impacts, outlines ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability within the municipality's administrative boundaries. Beyond SECAP, Eskişehir Municipality has spearheaded numerous projects and activities aimed at protecting the environment and promoting zero waste practices. These efforts include innovative waste management strategies, community education programs on climate change adaptation, and the implementation of green infrastructure projects to enhance urban resilience. Eskişehir's holistic approach underscores their dedication to fostering a greener, more sustainable future for its residents while serving as a model for environmental stewardship in Turkey.
Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality completed its SECAP in December 2023, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy and climate action planning. Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality embarked on its preparation process with an inaugural meeting on April 5, 2023, led by the Climate Change and Zero Waste Department. This initiative culminated in the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan Greenhouse Gas Reduction Workshop on September 14, 2023, addressing buildings, energy and industry, transportation, waste-water, and agriculture. Subsequently, on November 21, 2023, a climate adaptation workshop focused on developing Eskişehir-specific strategies for climate resilience, discussing topics such as disaster management, water management, green spaces, and public health. These efforts aim to enhance Eskişehir's resilience to climate change impacts.
Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality has outlined actions in three main categories within its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). The "Sustainable Energy Actions" aimed at reducing emissions from energy consumption across various sectors, were developed with active participation from urban stakeholders. The foundation of this plan is the urban greenhouse gas inventory, based on both national and regional reports and the future visions of urban stakeholders regarding the city's trajectory up to the present. The Covenant of Mayors (CoM) allows local governments to exclude sectors where they lack intervention or jurisdiction, such as industrial enterprises and national agricultural policies. However, given its focus on rural development, a priority area for local governance, Eskişehir aims to address agriculture within the context of its climate action plan.
As part of the development of Eskişehir's sustainable energy and climate action plan, the sources of greenhouse gas emissions for the city were identified, and emissions for the reference year of 2021 were meticulously calculated. Urban greenhouse gas emissions in Eskişehir, excluding emissions from industry, civil aviation, fugitive emissions, and industrial processes, amounted to approximately 3,741,358 tons of CO2e for the selected reference year of 2021. Of this total, 73,488 tons were directly attributed to municipal operational activities (2.0%). Eskişehir's total greenhouse gas emissions are distributed as follows: 37.2% from residential areas, including public and other commercial buildings and street lighting; 33.0% from vehicle consumption, including public transport; and 29.8% from waste and wastewater management, as well as electricity consumption related to agriculture, livestock, and agricultural irrigation.
Using projections from various institutions regarding population and sectoral growth, Eskişehir has calculated its 2030 emissions under a Business as Usual (BAU) scenario to be approximately 4,630,384 tons of CO2e. Through measures in built environment, transportation, waste and wastewater management, and agriculture, the city anticipates reducing emissions by nearly 55% by 2030, achieving an estimated reduction of 2,464,895 tons of CO2e and potentially lowering total emissions to 2,165,489 tons of CO2e.
The Climate Change Adaptation component of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality's Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan marks a significant stride towards a resilient and sustainable vision for the city, achieved through collaborative efforts with local stakeholders. Building upon historical data and conducted studies, the plan conducts vulnerability assessments for Eskişehir, recognizing it not only as an area intensified by anthropogenic activities but also as an ecosystem encompassing natural systems and cultural heritage interactions. Through participatory processes, thematic proposals highlight key concepts such as urban green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and water management, essential for implementing a multi-scalar approach. Findings emphasize the need to increase green spaces to mitigate urban heat island effects and enhance air quality, with particular focus on improving water efficiency in agriculture and developing drought-resistant crops to ensure food security amidst potential climate change impacts. Acknowledging the interdisciplinary nature of this process, collaboration with central government and other stakeholders is crucial for fostering a culture of joint action and developing strategies that prioritize green urban practices, pedestrian-cycling-public transport oriented development, and sustainable design principles reflecting both natural and cultural life forms for urban residents. Thus, Eskişehir's Climate Adaptation Strategy serves as a guiding framework for shaping design principles and directing implementation efforts.