Linking Policy to Practice: How Türkiye’s Sustainable Campuses Respond to Climate Change
Keywords:
Climate change, Policy, Sustainability, Sustainable campusAbstract
Climate change, recognized as a critical global challenge, requires comprehensive policies and coordinated actions across multiple sectors, given its profound environmental, social, and economic repercussions. This study evaluates the alignment of Türkiye’s climate change policies with sustainable campus initiatives, emphasizing the role of universities in advancing national and international climate objectives through practical implementation. This study employs document analysis to examine 5 core domains: the impacts of climate change, adaptation strategies, Türkiye’s climate policy framework, sustainability principles, and campus-based sustainability practices. The analysis draws upon interdisciplinary literature and case studies of prominent Turkish universities, including Istanbul Technical University, Middle East Technical University, and Hacettepe University. These institutions exhibit notable progress in minimizing carbon emissions, adopting renewable energy technologies, improving waste management systems, and integrating sustainability into academic curricula and research agendas. Such efforts demonstrate alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and underscore the transformative potential of universities as microcosms of urban systems, fostering environmental responsibility and societal advancement. Nevertheless, persistent challenges—such as fragmented institutional coordination and limited integration at the national policy level—highlight the need for more cohesive and strategic approaches to strengthen the contribution of sustainable campuses to Türkiye’s climate commitments.
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