**3. Climate change and greenhouse gas emissions policies in Turkey**

Turkey was a member of the OECD when the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Changes (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992, and was therefore included among the socalled Annex I and Annex II countries. Under the convention, Annex I countries have to take steps to reduce emissions and Annex II countries have to take steps to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. However, in comparison to other countries included in these annexes, Turkey was at a relatively early stage of industrialization and had a lower level of economic development as well as a lower means to assist developing countries. Turkey was not given a quantified emissions reduction or limitation objective in the Kyoto Protocol. Following a number of negotiations, in 2001 Turkey was finally removed from the list of Annex II countries but remained on the list of Annex I countries with an accompanying footnote specifying that Turkey should enjoy favorable conditions considering differentiated responsibilities. This led to an official acceptance of the UNFCCC by the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October 2003, followed by its enactment in May 2004. Turkey has not yet signed the Kyoto Protocol [3,11,14,21].

Throughout this process, the government carried out a number of studies on the implications of climate change and its mitigation. The first efforts were undertaken by the National Climate Coordination Group in preparation for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Following this, a National Climate Program was developed in the scope of the UNFCCC. In 1999, a specialized Com‐ mission on Climate Change was established by State Planning Organization (DPT) in prepa‐ ration of the Eighth Five-Year Development Plan (2001-2005). The Five-Year Development Plan was the first planning document to contain proposals for national policies and measures to reduce GHG emissions, and funding for climate-friendly technologies [3,22].

Public unawareness of environmental impacts presents a serious impediment in developing countries to effectively implementing environmental policies. Frequently decisions are made in the absence of environmental information in these countries [1,23]. In addition, environ‐ mental impacts are normally exposed to the purview of selected environmental departments, and offices in charge, and expert researchers. The public tend to be left in the dark about the seriousness of the worsening environment they are living in, the costs to their health and quality of life, and the opportunity of helping policy-makers to improve the environment. The lack of environmental awareness has resulted in indifference to environmental degradation, an absence of self-regulating motivation and, above all, a lack of enthusiasm to be involved in monitoring polluting operations and enterprises. Public participation could be a cost-effective method of implementing environmental policy, especially for those countries chronically short

Present Situation and Future Prospect of Energy Utilization and Climate Change in Turkey

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/54319

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Since possible results of the global warmth gradually started to form the most basic problem on environmental basis, "Framework Convention on Climate Changes" (FCCC) is constituted which was due on March 21, 1994 followed by its approval by 50 countries after being first approved in Rio Environment and Development Conference held in 1992. Aim of the Con‐ vention is to keep the concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere at a constant level necessary to prevent its hazardous man caused impact on climate system. On the other hand, international society will come to a common decision in Conference of Parties (COP) held annually where all participating countries are closely involved in decision making process. The countries in Convention's Appendix-1 list decided by Kyoto Protocol to be due between 2008 and 2012 will be forced to reduce total emission level of gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs) that

The electricity generation in Turkey is dominated by fossil fuels. As shown in Fig. 1, the share of fossil fuels in total generation has been steadily increasing for last two decades and reached to the peak share of 82,5% in 2008 [25]. The 57,4% of total electricity generation in 2008 was from imported fuels (natural gas, imported coal and liquid fuels). The high level of fossil fuel dependency in the electricity generation is the major cause of increase in the national GHG emissions. Since 1990, the total GHG emission of Turkey has increased more than twofold and reached 366,5 million tons of CO2e in 2008. Within the same period, the GHG emissions generated upon the electricity generation is increased more than threefold from 30 million tons

Turkey's GHG emissions were doubled by 2008 and reached to 366,5 million tons CO2e comparing 1990 level as shown in Fig. 2 [9]. In 2008, around 80% of the total emissions of Turkey were from CO2 while one third of CO2 emissions were from electricity generation as shown in Fig. 3 [9]. In other words, more than one quarter of total emissions (27%) are due to electricity generation by fossil fuels. Other important CO2 sources are industry, road transportation,

of funds and trained human resources.

in 1990 to 101,4 million tons in 2008 [9].

residential and cement production [9].

have direct greenhouse effect 5% below the level in 1990 [1,24].

**5. Electricity generation and CO2 emission in Turkey**

Following the ratification of the UNFCCC, a number of working groups were set up with the objective to define a climate change mitigation strategy and compile the country's first national communication to the UNFCCC. These included a working group on mitigation in the energy sector and a working group on mitigation in the transport sector. However, it remains unclear as to when the strategy and national communication will be completed. The strategy aims to reduce GHG emissions through the implementation of appropriate measures and the devel‐ opment of climate-friendly technologies. Energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources are two important components of the strategy. However, the strategy will not include any policies that directly target GHG emissions, such as carbon taxation or emissions trading. It also does not include a specific target for emissions reductions [3,14].
