Prepared under the Climate Law, the draft sets out the foundational principles of Türkiye’s carbon market infrastructure.
As of August 1, 2025, the Draft Regulation on Carbon Certification and Offset, prepared in line with Türkiye’s Climate Law No. 7552, which came into force on July 2, 2025, has been opened for public consultation. The draft regulation outlines the framework for establishing Türkiye’s national carbon offset system (TR KDS), enabling the generation of carbon credits from emission reduction and removal projects.
The primary objective of the new system is to ensure that emission reductions achieved through both voluntary and compliance-based carbon projects can be monitored, verified, and transformed into carbon credits eligible for use in international markets. The draft also envisions the establishment of an infrastructure aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Key Highlights of the Draft
The draft introduces the Türkiye Carbon Offset System (TR KDS), aiming to provide a national framework for carbon market activities. Key components include:
- Turquoise Credit Definition: Each ton of CO₂ equivalent emission reduction will correspond to a nationally issued carbon credit, termed a “Turquoise Credit.”
- Registry Systems: Two separate registries will be established to manage national and international transactions:
- Türkiye Carbon Offset Registry
- Türkiye International Carbon Registry
- Independent Verification: Validation, monitoring, and verification of projects will be carried out by authorized institutions such as the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) and TURKAK.
- Avoidance of Double Counting: The validity of credits will depend on monitoring and verification mechanisms that eliminate the risk of double counting.
- Paris Agreement Compliance: The system is designed to be technically compatible with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, facilitating participation in international carbon markets.
- Pilot Implementations: The draft allows for the temporary use of international credits within the Emissions Trading System (ETS) during a pilot phase.
- Incentives for the Voluntary Market: The development of support mechanisms for voluntary carbon markets is also foreseen.
Alignment with Strategic Policy Documents
The draft regulation has been prepared in coherence with Türkiye’s long-term climate targets and policy frameworks. It is directly linked to the following documents:
- 2053 Net-Zero Emissions Target
- 12th Development Plan (2024–2028)
- Medium-Term Program (2025–2027)
- Green Deal Action Plan
- 2053 Climate Strategy and Action Plan
In line with these documents, the draft aims to establish a transparent and traceable carbon market grounded in the principles of environmental sustainability.
Public Consultation Process
The Draft Regulation on Carbon Certification and Offset will remain open for public comment until August 18, 2025. Institutions, organizations, and individuals wishing to contribute may send their views via email to:
📄 The draft regulation and supporting documents are available on the official website of the Climate Change Directorate:
https://iklim.gov.tr/taslaklar-i-2124
