Dear Members,
Türkiye's National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (UDESEP) for the 2025-2028 period has entered into force with its publication in the Official Gazette by Presidential Decree. Prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, the plan aims to integrate circular economy principles into production, consumption and waste management processes in line with Turkey's 2053 Net Zero Emissions target.
The strategy document focuses on 7 sectors with high environmental impact:
1. Packaging,
2. Batteries and vehicles,
3. Electronics and information and communication technologies,
4. Construction and buildings,
5. Plastics,
6. Textiles,
7. Food and biomass.
UDESEP objectives;
UDESEP brings together the objectives of sustainable management of natural resources, greenhouse gas reduction, reduction of import dependency and creation of green employment in line with the 2053 Net Zero Emissions target. The strategy, prepared in line with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU Green Deal, aims to increase Türkiye's competitiveness in sustainable production chains.
By supporting recycling-based production through the Circular Economy, an economic system that supports sustainable development by recovering and reusing resources without wasting them, the strategy aims to protect natural resources, combat climate change, and increase competitiveness in the international market through green production.
The plan is structured under six strategic areas: circular products, priority sectors, waste and waste prevention, scaling up the circular economy, horizontal actions, and monitoring progress. Within this framework, 22 objectives and 53 actions have been identified.
The 53 actions have been developed under the six strategic areas listed below:
- circular products,
- waste and waste prevention,
- green and digital transformation,
- investment incentives and Green Taxonomy,
- data-driven monitoring system.
The strategy, prepared with the contribution of 125 institutions and organisations, takes into account not only environmental but also economic and social benefits in the transition to a circular economy.
Policies and programmes supporting labour force transformation have been planned in line with the principle of a just transition.
Prominent business models in these sectors include:
- Eco-design,
- Product durability,
- Increasing recycling rates,
- Industrial symbiosis and resource efficiency
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The document also envisages measuring the circular economy, strengthening data-driven decision-making mechanisms, and establishing an accountable monitoring system. During implementation, it is planned to direct environmentally friendly investments through the Green Taxonomy and develop sustainable financing instruments. The actions include regulations across a wide range of areas, from public procurement to product design, industrial policies to employment.
UDESEP anticipates not only environmental but also economic benefits. According to the Ministry's calculations, the implementation of the plan is expected to generate an added value of 210–350 billion TL per year as a result of waste being recycled into the economy, create more than 100,000 new jobs, and attract 110–180 billion TL in investments annually for circular production technologies. In this context, Zero Waste practices, industrial symbiosis, and green OSB projects will be rolled out nationwide.
During the preparation process, workshops and analyses involving over 200 institutions were conducted to evaluate compliance with EU legislation, sectoral impact analyses, and national policy scenarios, thereby establishing a framework specific to Turkey. With the implementation of the strategy, resource efficiency in production processes will increase, waste generation will decrease, and our country will take another step towards the vision of a ‘low-carbon, competitive economy’ in line with the European Green Deal.
Click here for the Republic of Türkiye's National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan.