Informing and supporting governments on climate change

Marmara University is committed to providing information and support to local and regional governments regarding early warning and monitoring of climate change disasters and risks.

Marmara University attaches great importance to the assessment of climate change disasters and risks. In this context, local and regional governments played an important role in the early warning, assessment, observation and implementation of solution proposals for climate change disasters and risks in 2023. Marmara University contributed to the development of resilience and adaptation strategies by sharing its knowledge and expertise with local governments in the fight against climate change, building a green future and reducing the risks arising from climate change. In this process, the university's Environmental Problems Research and Application Center guided local governments with scientific research and technical reports.

Marmara University Environmental Problems Research and Application Center

The purpose of Marmara University Environmental Problems Application and Research Center is to conduct multidisciplinary, scientific and practical research and studies in the fields of environmental problems affecting the environment-living relationships and the solutions to these problems; to increase the awareness of the society about environmental problems and to convey various scientific findings and suggestions to the relevant authorities and the public. The center conducts scientific and practical research aimed at determining and solving environmental problems with the help of researchers and expert staff in various units of our university. It cooperates with other organizations or has external experts conduct studies in order to carry out activities such as necessary research, experimental examinations and survey studies to determine scientific methods related to environmental problems. It supports the giving of seminars by local and foreign experts and creates cooperation opportunities by establishing relations with similar national and foreign institutions. In addition, it provides the necessary educational opportunities to train experts in the field of environmental problems, makes publications regarding its aims and duties, and announces scientific suggestions and requests to the relevant parties for taking legal and administrative measures are other activities of the center.

Authorities, Duties and Responsibilities:

-The Center shall conduct scientific and applied research to determine and solve environmental problems with the help of its research and expert staff,
-To conduct studies such as necessary research, laboratory examinations, experiments and surveys to determine scientific methods related to environmental problems or to cooperate with other relevant institutions for this purpose or to have experts from outside its organization conduct studies,
-To ensure that conferences are given and seminars are organized by local and foreign experts,
-To establish relations with similar national and foreign institutions and create cooperation opportunities with them,
-To provide necessary educational opportunities to train experts in the field of environmental problems and to make scientific contributions to postgraduate studies.
-To make publications related to its aims and duties,
-To announce scientific suggestions and requests to the relevant parties for taking legal and administrative measures.

In addition, a Working Group on Climate Change was established under the Research Center for International Relations at Marmara University.

For detailed information: https://csuam.marmara.edu.tr/en/general-informations 

Marmara University Environmental Problems Research and Application Center Regulation

Please click here: Marmara University Environmental Problems Research and Application Center Regulation

Studies and activities related to informing and supporting governments on climate change

Preparation of the Xth Sustainable Finance Forum White Paper

Marmara University’s Civil Society Organizations Application and Research Center (STKAM) prepared the White Paper for the Xth Sustainable Finance Forum, organized in collaboration with SKD Türkiye and UN Global Compact Turkey, and hosted by Borsa Istanbul. The White Paper provides insights, recommendations, and best practices on sustainable finance, ESG integration, and responsible investment strategies, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting informed decision-making and sustainable financial practices.

Development of Recommendations on Volunteer-Related Legal Regulations

Within the scope of the “Strengthening Civil Participation for the Development of Democratic Local Governance in Turkey” project, the White Paper, intended to serve as a foundation for a volunteerism law, was completed and shared with the public. The development of the White Paper was supported by the Volunteerism Working Group, with Prof. Dr. Esra Yüksel Acı from Marmara University serving as the academic representative. The initiative aimed to provide policy recommendations for legal frameworks supporting volunteerism, enhancing civic engagement, and promoting sustainable social participation, contributing to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Moderation of the “Circular Economy in the Green Transformation of Industry in Turkey” Panel

Prof. Dr. Esra Yüksel Acı, Director of Marmara University’s Civil Society Organizations Application and Research Center (STKAM), served as the moderator for the panel “Circular Economy in the Green Transformation of Industry in Turkey”, organized by the ÇOSB Regional Directorate, one of our Green Organized Industrial Zones. The panel featured speakers including Selin Çobanoğlu Öz, Director of International Agreements and Legislative Compliance at the Ministry of Industry and Technology; Erdem Sezer, Director of Sectoral Research at Development Investment Bank; Eşref Hilmi Açık, Co-Founder & CEO of Oleago; and Romain Narcy, Co-Founder & CEO of Rematters Textile Recycling Solutions. The discussion focused on green industrial strategies, circular economy implementation, and sustainable industrial practices, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Participation in the TECH-POL

Prof. Dr. Esra Yüksel Acı, Director of Marmara University’s Civil Society Organizations Application and Research Center (STKAM), participated in the TECH-POL organized by the Turkish-German University International Relations Club. She presented on “Green and Digital Skills and Professions”, sharing insights on the development of sustainable and digital competencies, the emerging green workforce, and strategies for integrating sustainability into professional education, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

Turkey Sustainability Reporting Standards & Digital Currency 101 Trainings

As part of the EDU YESK Summer School, organized in collaboration with Marmara University’s Green Economy and Sustainability Club, STKAM, Marmara University Alumni and Academicians Association, and supported by Nihad Sayar Education Foundation, certified trainings were conducted for participants. The “Turkey Sustainability Reporting Standards” training, delivered by Sevgi Kılıç Er, Sustainability Project Leader and Specialist at the Public Oversight, Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority, focused on the principles and applications of sustainability reporting in Turkey. The “Digital Currency 101” training, led by Muhammed Taha Salman, Manager at the Turkey FinTech Community, introduced concepts of CBDCs and stablecoins, as well as their implications for financial innovation and sustainable economic systems. Both sessions contributed to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by enhancing participants’ knowledge and competencies in sustainable finance and digital financial technologies.

Climate Change and Finance Summit

The collaborations between Marmara University and Kadıköy Municipality in 2023 have led to very important and meaningful steps being taken in this process. With the projects, activities, workshops and events organized with both institutions, studies have been carried out to increase resilience against climate change risks and to establish effective early warning systems. Thanks to these collaborations organized with both institutions, the awareness and preparedness level of local communities and institutions regarding combating climate change has been greatly expanded. With such collaborations and support activities, Marmara University fulfills its social responsibility and takes important steps for a more sustainable future. The scientific and academic knowledge of the university has been one of the greatest aids to local governments in combating climate change.

International Conference of Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainability

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKKm4PB0vlQ&t=14s

 

International Conference of Digital and Green Transition

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMzTu9bX9eQ

 

Climate Action Plan (2023-2028)

 

Link: Marmara University 2024 Sustainability Report

 

 

Green Academy Sustainability Seminar in Campus and Education

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr28wRcbmj8

 

Women and Gender Equality in Economy Talk

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU0ku9nWbPs 

 

Climate Change and Sustainable Finance Summit in the Centennial of the Republic

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A5y11onM9w&t=2s

The International Conference on Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainability

The conference, which started with Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, continued with rich presentations on climate change, sustainability, sustainable development goals, and energy transition by the German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Publicly Incentivized Projects, Market Research and Fairs, UNSDSN Turkey and BÜYEM, and SHURA Energy Transformation Center Senior Energy Analyst Yael Taranto. The topic of "Green Deal, Energy Intensive Sectors and Turkey" was moderated by Marmara University. The panel was completed with speeches by ESCON Energy Inc. CEO and TURKONFED - Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation Green Transformation Commission (TSKB Sustainability Consultancy) on green transformation, energy transformation, energy efficiency, and energy saving. In addition, events regarding hydrogen potential, including all information regarding our country's hydrogen action plan, were also implemented.

 

International Conference on Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainability

 

Climate Change Seminar

The aim of our event is to draw attention to climate change, one of the biggest problems in today's world. We aim to raise awareness about climate change and share ways to combat climate change. The target audience of our event is everyone who wants to learn about climate change, especially Marmara University students.

Nature Walk

Nature walks are walks that are carried out in different geographies of nature, with different levels of difficulty and for different durations. As the name suggests, nature walks are carried out in nature or in areas with natural beauty. The places where these walks can be carried out vary depending on the type of walk. The target audience of the event is Marmara University students.

Sustainability Days

Bee Day and Biodiversity

The global climate crisis, one of the biggest problems of today's world, was brought to attention by combining May 20 Bee Day and May 22 Biodiversity Day and hosting various academics who are experts in these subjects. The extinction of bees due to the climate crisis can cause a chain reaction of imbalance in the ecosystem and many other problems. For this reason, this event was held so that everyone can fulfill their responsibilities and gain awareness for the protection of bees and biodiversity.

I Love the Earth, I Recycle

The purpose of this event is to convey to our participants in detail what recycling is. We aimed to encourage our participants to live a sustainable life by conveying how recycling can be incorporated into daily life. In our event, we examined recycling and sustainability from an artistic perspective as well as from a basic perspective. The target audience of our event is primarily Marmara University students and people interested in recycling and sustainability.

Green Chemistry Conference

Green Chemistry is a new principle based on a dozen principles, including solutions that will eliminate current pollution problems. Our aim is to prepare Chemistry and Chemical Engineering students for the developing and growing Chemistry sector while protecting our nature. In this context, it is aimed to convey Green Chemistry and its principles to the participants one-on-one by experts in the field.

Change Yourself, Not the Climate!

The aim of our event is to create climate awareness among our participants. In our event, we aim to touch upon what the climate crisis is, what we can do against the climate crisis, and examining the climate crisis in terms of human and children's rights. The target audience of our event is primarily the members of the Marmara University Natural Life Protection Club, as well as Marmara University students.

Planting Saplings on National Afforestation Day

Marmara University Geography Club is organizing a sapling planting event with its students to leave a gift to the future on the National Afforestation Day, the 100th anniversary of our Republic. The aim is for the saplings planted to grow enough to breathe into these lands in the future and for future generations to follow in the footsteps of us young people and plant more saplings to enlarge our green areas.

Nature Walk and Photography Event

 

4th International Academic Researches for Sustainability (2023)

The congress theme consists of climate change, energy resources, water management, waste reduction and other environmental issues.

 

European Green Deal: Sustainability and Turkey's Situation Conference (2023)

The conference took place in areas such as the use of renewable energy sources, measures regarding human, animal and plant health, protection of biodiversity, decarbonization and digitalization.

 

Link:  Climate Action Plan

 

Marmara University 2023 Sustainability Report