3rd ICELIS Trabzon PROCEDINGS BOOK

-KEYNOTE SPEECH-                          -PDF-  https://doi.org/10.61326/icelis.2023.59 

Yusuf Serengil✉

İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul/TÜRKİYE 

✉Correspondence: serengil@iuc.edu.tr 

Abstract: In 2021, Türkiye ratified the Paris Agreement and committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2053. As mandated by the agreement, Türkiye submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and has been conducting simulations to identify alternatives to establish its Long-Term Strategy (LTS). Our study focused on the LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry) sector of Türkiye, mainly focusing on forestry. Our analysis shows that the forests in Türkiye offset approximately 8-10% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, down from over 20% in 2014. This reduction in offset percentage is due to a drop in the removal rate of forests over the last ten years. To achieve climate neutrality, this trend of reduction must be reversed. Recent inventory data shows that forest management is the central activity, with afforestation and other land use activities contributing less than 1%. However, when analyzing their effectiveness, it is important to consider the co-benefits of mitigation policies and measures. Our study concluded that Türkiye should prioritize forest management, including wildfire prevention and improved use of wood products, by investing in research and innovation. The forest products industry should also enhance the added value of wood products and embrace circularity to reduce raw material demand. By reducing the harvest rate, the carbon stock and increment of forests can be enhanced. Acceleration is needed towards achieving sectoral targets to achieve a climate-smart forestry perspective. 

Keywords: Climate neutrality, Long term forestry strategy, Climate smart forestry.