Tekirdağ, situated in northwestern Turkey along the Sea of Marmara, is renowned for its thriving agricultural production, particularly grapes and wine. The city also boasts historical landmarks and a vibrant cultural scene, contributing to its allure as a tourist destination in the region.
The disruption of the ecological balance will bring about disasters such as scarcity, drought, floods, and hurricanes. Acting on these realities, Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality supported the Capacity Building Project for combating and adapting to climate change in the Thrace region. In line with their defined strategies, they will work towards minimizing the damage from climate events like drought and floods and even eliminating potential risks completely. One of their most important efforts for the efficient use of water resources will be the widespread adoption of drip or rainwater irrigation methods. Additionally, in collaboration with Istanbul Enerji, they will prepare the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan to implement reduction and adaptation activities aimed at decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels and electricity for municipal services such as heating, lighting, and transportation. They aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2053.
Tekirdağ's Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) aims to bolster the city's resilience to climate change through a comprehensive and inclusive approach. The plan focuses on reducing carbon emissions and protecting sustainable resources to create a more environmentally friendly urban environment. One of the key objectives is to ensure transparent access to the carbon emission inventory, allowing for better monitoring and accountability. The plan involves all stakeholders in the decision-making process, fostering a collaborative effort towards achieving its goals. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of environmental awareness, encouraging the community to participate in sustainability initiatives. By implementing these strategies, Tekirdağ aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve the quality of life for its residents, and work towards a sustainable future.
As the Directorate of Climate Change and Zero Waste of the Metropolitan Municipality, they are working to make Tekirdağ a city resilient to climate change. In this regard, they have initiated their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) efforts. According to the 2030 scenarios, potential hazards such as heatwaves, forest fires, drought, and heavy rainfall are expected to increase. Additionally, without sufficient and necessary precautions, it is predicted that the agricultural ecosystem in the country could deteriorate due to drought, posing a risk to food security. In the face of these risks, their duty is to implement investments towards low-carbon green urban development in cooperation with public institutions and the private sector.
Under the SECAP, they will first identify the impacts of urbanization and industrialization on the climate in Tekirdağ and prepare a greenhouse gas emission inventory. The data obtained will lay the groundwork for identifying climate risks that could affect the Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality. The second step involves undertaking efforts to reduce existing greenhouse gas emissions. In the third step, they will develop the Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Action Plan document, a strategic document outlining how to make the city more resilient to the inevitable impacts, hazards, and vulnerabilities of climate change. This plan will be designed as a strategic policy and action plan to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change.
By outlining and committing to these actions in the strategy document, they will be better positioned to secure funding for the desired investments. This will facilitate easier communication with international organizations for financing the projects they aim to implement. The creation of the action plan will help prioritize and implement Tekirdağ’s sustainable and climate change resilience projects.