Since 2011, the Energy Management and Climate Change Department of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality has been working with a team of experienced engineers specialized in the field to contribute to national efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating the climate crisis. Gaziantep signed the Covenant of Mayors (COM) in 2017 and renewed its commitment in 2021, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions by 80% by 2050. Gaziantep, the first municipality in Turkey to prepare a climate change action plan, developed the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan in 2018, and in 2022, it completed the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan, which outlines strategies to mitigate the climate impacts in the city. Gaziantep’s vision for 2050 is to build a green and resilient city with a net-zero carbon target. In line with its goal of providing a sustainable environment for future generations, the municipality has prepared the "Green City Action Plan." On November 2, 2021, the agreement was formalized in London, and Gaziantep, after Izmir, Istanbul, and Ankara, joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Green Cities Program. Through the Green City Action Plan, developed with the support of EBRD, 31 priority actions have been identified to reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and accelerate the transition to a green economy. Furthermore, within the framework of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, projects that are 80% implemented are enhancing the city's environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. These projects will contribute to Gaziantep's 2050 targets and support the use of renewable energy sources. The municipality’s energy needs are met through solar and biogas power plants, with the total installed capacity of the existing plants reaching 41.5 MW. These projects have prevented the emission of approximately 6 million kilograms of CO₂ by 2025.
"A city that manages its natural resources sustainably, values cooperation and innovation, enhances the quality of life in the city, achieves the net-zero carbon goal, and becomes a resilient and green city, setting an example in the climate movement."
Focus Areas of Green City Gaziantep:
1. Renewable Energy Investments: Increasing investments in renewable energy to meet the city’s energy needs sustainably.
2. Waste Management and Recycling: Improving waste management processes to increase recycling rates and minimize environmental impacts.
3. Clean Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems: Improving water management to protect water resources and developing treatment systems sustainably.
4. Sustainable Green Transportation Models: Expanding low-emission and environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
5. Climate-Friendly Sustainable Urbanization: Shaping urbanization processes in a way that is compatible with climate change adaptation and in harmony with nature.
6. Air Quality Improvement: Implementing necessary policies and technologies to improve air quality throughout the city.
7. Energy Efficiency in Industry and Buildings: Developing projects to improve energy efficiency in industries and buildings to reduce energy consumption.
8. Energy Management: Improving energy management to ensure long-term sustainability and enhance the efficiency of energy use.
Gaziantep’s Green City initiative is a bold step towards transforming the city into an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable future. Focused on renewable energy, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, this vision aims to make Gaziantep a model in sustainable urban living with a net-zero emissions goal.