The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality signed the Covenant of Mayors in 2015, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. In line with the European Union's strategies to combat climate change, the municipality reviewed its greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation targets, renewing its Covenant of Mayors commitment on August 5, 2019, with City Council Decision No. 05.628, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and increase the city's resilience to climate change impacts.
Under this commitment, the Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, which includes an urban and institutional greenhouse gas inventory, risk and vulnerability assessment, and greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation actions, was prepared with the participation of municipal units, affiliated institutions and companies, relevant public institutions, NGOs, universities, and professional chambers. This plan was financed by the European Union's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) Component 1, with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), following the Covenant of Mayors methodology.
Stakeholder participation was a key feature of the Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan process, with more than 100 participants involved in the preparation through the kickoff event and workshops held in December 2019. Additionally, focus group meetings were organized with stakeholders from municipal units and external institutions to understand how local climate change adaptation could be achieved and which data could be used in the monitoring process of adaptation indicators.
The Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan was prepared simultaneously with the Izmir Green City Action Plan, which aims to identify, prioritize, and address the most urgent environmental challenges in line with the IBB Strategic Plan 2020-2024 vision.
In the process conducted in accordance with the Covenant of Mayors methodology used by all cities preparing their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans, the following basic steps were followed: 1) Conducting a current situation analysis, including the preparation of the existing emission inventory and a risk and vulnerability assessment, and 2) Developing practical actions to gain more information about emissions, reduce emissions, and enhance resilience to climate change.
The Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan provides a roadmap for reducing emissions from energy consumption in various sectors identified with the participation of urban stakeholders. The urban greenhouse gas emissions were prepared within the framework of the general principles and philosophy of the International Local Government Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Protocol (IEAP), created by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) based on IPCC guidelines and applicable to every local government.
Within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors, climate change risks were assessed in Izmir for the 12 sectors and 9 major hazards defined under the same covenant. The evaluated sectors include agriculture and forestry, buildings, civil defense and emergency, economy, energy, environment and biodiversity, health, land use planning, tourism, transportation, waste, and water.
Based on the current policy strategies and recommendations implemented by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and other significant stakeholders, the Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan identifies actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate change impacts by addressing the risks and vulnerabilities faced. The Izmir Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan and the Izmir Green City Action Plan are complementary, jointly forming Izmir's roadmap on environmental and climate change issues. A total of 61 actions are being carried out together in both plans across sectors such as land use, waste management, buildings, environment and biodiversity, energy, public health, civil defense and emergency, water management, agriculture and forestry, tourism, and transportation.
Drought Management and Wetlands Protection Project
Grant Program: TTGS-II
Purpose: Cooperation and awareness raising between Izmir and Ljubljana for the protection of drought and wetlands.
Partners: Ljubljana Municipality, Bird Life Slovenia, Nature Association
Duration: 12 Months
Solar Energy Use and Sustainability Project
Purpose: To encourage the use of solar energy and increase energy savings in schools in Izmir.
Partners: Izmir Provincial Directorate of National Education, Ege University Faculty of Engineering, Energy Efficiency Association
Duration: 18 Months
Plastic Waste Management and Recycling Project
Purpose: To reduce the amount of plastic waste in Izmir and increase its recycling.
Partners: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Ege University Environmental Engineering Department, Plastic Industrialists Association
Duration: 2 Years
Sustainable Tourism Development Project
Purpose: To increase the sustainability of the tourism industry in Izmir and to encourage environmentally friendly tourism practices.
Partners: Izmir Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Ege University Faculty of Tourism, Izmir Hoteliers Association
Duration: 24 Months
Urban Agriculture and Food Security Project
Purpose: To promote urban agriculture and increase local food production in Izmir.
Partners: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Izmir Chamber of Commerce
Duration: 3 Years
Sustainable Transportation and Bicycle Paths Project
Purpose: To encourage bicycle use and develop sustainable transportation alternatives in Izmir.
Partners: Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Ege University Faculty of Architecture, Izmir Bicycle Association
Duration: 18 Months
Wastewater Treatment and Water Quality Improvement Project
Purpose: To increase the capacity of wastewater treatment facilities and improve water quality in Izmir.
Partners: Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration, Ege University Environmental Engineering Department, Izmir Environmental Platform
Duration: 24 Months
Environmental Education and Awareness Program
Purpose: To raise environmental awareness and increase environmental awareness in Izmir.
Partners: Izmir Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization, Ege University, Izmir Environmental Volunteers Association
Duration: 12 Months