Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye

Beginning its activities in 1848 under the name “Nafıa Nezareti,” and subsequently operating under the names Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Construction and Settlement, Ministry Responsible for the Environment, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Public Works and Settlement, and Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye currently carries out work in numerous areas ranging from urban transformation and the protection of the environment and nature to combating the effects of climate change.

With the transition to the Presidential Government System, the Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) Presidency, the Real Estate Participation Bank and the General Directorate of Local Administrations have been attached to the ministry. The General Directorate of Meteorology has been included among the affiliated organizations.

The Presidency of Climate Change, the Presidency of the Türkiye Environmental Agency and the Presidency of Urban Transformation have been established as affiliated organizations of the ministry.

History

Ministry of Public Works and Settlement

The Ministry of Public Works, which began its activities in 1848 under the name “Nafıa Nezareti,” was assigned responsibilities under Law No. 2443 dated 26.05.1934 to construct railways, ports, roads and bridges, establish and operate PTT facilities, regulate waterworks, and carry out all types of construction work for state institutions and organizations.

In 1958, the Ministry of Construction and Settlement was established by Law No. 7116, and was tasked with planning regions, cities, towns and villages; formulating housing policy; addressing construction materials; taking necessary measures before and after disasters; implementing urban infrastructure; and regulating relations with municipalities.

The establishment and duties of the Ministry of Public Works were reorganized by Law No. 1609 dated 13.07.1972. By Decree-Law No. 180 dated 13.12.1983, it was merged with the Ministry of Construction and Settlement and adopted the name Ministry of Public Works and Settlement.

Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Provisions concerning environmental protection found in various laws were implemented until the 1970s by different ministries and institutions within their respective areas of competence.

The first independent institutional structure in the environmental field was established by the Council of Ministers Decision No. 7/5836 dated 12.02.1973, which created the “Coordination Council for Environmental Issues.” This council was later transformed into the “Environmental Coordination Council” by Decision No. 7/8329 dated 16.04.1974.

The “Prime Ministry Environmental Organization” was established by Council of Ministers Decision No. 7/16041 dated 27.07.1978. On 09.08.1983, Law No. 2872 came into effect, providing for the integrated management of environmental issues in Türkiye. By Decree-Law No. 222 dated 08.06.1984, the General Directorate of Environment was established as a legal entity under the Prime Ministry with a supplementary budget, and was made responsible for implementing the Environment Law.

Directorate General of Environment

By Decree-Law No. 389 on the Establishment and Duties of the Directorate General of Environment, the environmental organization was elevated to the level of a directorate general. By Decree-Law No. 383 dated 19.10.1989, another institution under the Prime Ministry with legal personality, the “Special Environmental Protection Organization Presidency,” was established for environmental protection. In 2011, the Special Environmental Protection Organization Presidency was closed and the “General Directorate of Nature Conservation” was established under the same Decree-Law.

Ministry Building (Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change)

Ministry of Environment and Urbanization

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization was established by Decree-Law No. 644 published in the Official Gazette No. 27984 dated 04.07.2011.

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization was formed by bringing together the environmental branch of the abolished Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the abolished Ministry of Public Works and Settlement under a single roof. Its duties, authorities and responsibilities were further strengthened by Decree-Law No. 648 published in the Official Gazette No. 28028 dated 17.08.2011.

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization played a major role in Türkiye’s 2023 Vision, both in preserving environmental values and in urbanization. It was structured to prepare legislation on settlement, environment and construction; carry out urban transformation projects; supervise implementation; promote professional services; prevent environmental pollution; and protect the environment and nature.

With the transition to the Presidential Government System, the Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) Presidency, the Real Estate Participation Bank and the General Directorate of National Property, along with the newly established General Directorate of Local Administrations, were attached to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Corporate Identity in Use Since 2021 (Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye)

Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change

By Presidential Decree No. 85 published in the Official Gazette No. 31643 dated 29 October 2021, the ministry’s name was changed to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Under the same decree, the General Directorate of Desertification and Erosion Control was incorporated into the ministry’s central units, while the General Directorate of Meteorology was included among the affiliated organizations. The Presidency of Climate Change was established as an affiliated organization of the ministry. By Presidential Decree No. 32341 published in the Official Gazette No. 32341 dated 16 October 2023, “Presidential Decree on Amendments to Certain Presidential Decrees,” the Presidency of Urban Transformation was also established.

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change is structured to prepare legislation on settlement, environment and construction; carry out urban transformation projects; supervise implementation; promote professional services; prevent environmental pollution; protect the environment and nature; and combat the effects of climate change.