Antalya’s Governance Model to a Carbon Neutral Future

The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality is implementing a comprehensive climate action strategy to transition towards a carbon-neutral city by 2050, built on an innovative governance model—established through institutional restructuring and a participatory Environmental Board. Focused on sustainable energy, resilient infrastructure, smart mobility, and environmental protection, Antalya’s strategy includes ambitious mitigation and adaptation measures, driven by international cooperation, data-driven planning, and innovative green solutions.

The strategy follows a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) adopted in 2022. At its core is a robust governance framework established since 2020, enabling all other initiatives. The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality underwent a significant institutional restructuring, appointing an environmental advisor to the mayor, and launching dedicated directorates for Climate Change and Clean Energy and Marine and Coastal Management. In 2022, Antalya became the first city in Türkiye to establish a Climate Change and Zero Waste Department, directly linking its strategic plan to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Environment Board, formed in collaboration with NGOs, academics, and professional chambers, has met regularly to guide and review policy with a participatory approach. This governance architecture ensures alignment, continuity, and accountability, acting as the backbone for Antalya’s long-term sustainability vision and roadmap.

In addition to this structure, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality adopts a dynamic, project-based internal coordination model. Organizational schemes across municipal departments are continuously adapted according to project needs, ensuring that the right experts and technical staff are mobilized effectively. Rather than relying on external consultants, the municipality prioritizes in-house expertise and its own subsidiaries in the design and implementation of environmental and climate projects.

Several ongoing planning instruments are being developed to strengthen implementation capacity, including the Integrated Waste Management Plan, the Integrated Urban Water Management Plan, the Rainwater Master Plan, the 2024 Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation Action Plan.

Antalya is also a national pioneer in environmental certification, being the first municipality in Türkiye to receive the “Climate-Friendly Institution Certificate” from TSE and to implement the ISO 50001 Energy Management System.

Key interventions include:

• Mitigation: Installation of 17 municipal solar power plants and 4 biomass power plants, transition to low-emission public transport (electric fleet expansion), ISO 50001-certified energy management in municipal buildings, smart intersection systems to reduce emissions and fuel use.
• Adaptation: Afforestation with over 2.4 million saplings and 3,150 climate-resilient trees, pilot efforts and data management for urban heat island mitigation and green infrastructure planning, agricultural solar irrigation systems benefiting 16,254 farmers, disaster risk reduction planning, marine and coastal protection.
• Water: Integrated Urban Water Management Plan (under development for 2050), SCADA-based monitoring systems for leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, including 547 new water tanks (2019-2024) and 3754 km new drinking water network (2019-2024), preparation of Rainwater Master Plan for flood resilience.
• Waste & Circularity: Integrated Waste Management Facilities producing biogas from household waste and energy from waste heat, ongoing support for municipal composting and zero waste initiatives, Climate-Friendly Institution Certificate from TSE for waste minimization and efficiency.
• Green Infrastructure: Creation of urban forest areas, Environmental Education and Innovation Centre promoting sustainable practices, participatory platforms (Environmental Board, Boğaçayı Science Committee) for inclusive green planning

Ongoing initiatives like the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and the Sponge City Antalya strategy stem directly from this vision and roadmap, reflecting its dynamic and evolving nature.

• Covenant of Mayors Europe (CoM)
• CDP (Leadership level in adaptation)
• NetZeroCities
• Cities Race to Zero
• CIVITAS, Cities4Forests, Metropolis, MedCities, ICLEI
• Cittaslow, Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), EIT Urban Mobility
• Mediterranean Region Municipalities Union of Türkiye (MMUTr) (Chaired by the Mayor of Antalya)
• Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB)

The city has prioritized environmental literacy through:

• The Environmental Education and Innovation Centre (since 2022), with 429 workshops, eco-literacy programs, and VR experiences reaching 3,856 participants
• Solar School initiative (IPA program) providing vocational training on solar energy systems for NEET youth (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), supporting green job creation
• Eco-school programs promoting sustainability and climate awareness in primary and secondary education
• Plastic-free coast campaigns targeting marine litter prevention and public behavior change
• Bird watching, BioBlitz biodiversity surveys, and urban ecology field activities
• Marine invasive species awareness campaigns and workshops on ecosystem protection
• Marine and coastal protection education, including beach clean-ups and habitat restoration
• Climate-smart farming and renewable energy irrigation seminars for rural populations
• Beekeeping education programs supporting biodiversity, rural livelihoods, and climate adaptation
• Public exhibitions, festivals, and community events on biodiversity, zero waste, and circular economy.
• Active use of municipal social media and visual campaigns to amplify environmental messaging and engage youth

Antalya leverages a combination of public investment, international funding, and innovative revenue strategies to support its climate goals.

• Municipal investment: Over 201 million TL (2018–2023) allocated to renewable energy support in agriculture
• EU and international funding:
  • Horizon Europe (CLIMAAX, NetZeroCities)
  • Horizon 2020 – MAtchUp (smart city transformation and energy efficiency)
  • Interreg Europe & IPA projects (e.g., Solar School for NEET youth)
  • World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Lithuanian Project Management Agency

• Public-private partnerships (PPPs):
  • Used in smart urban transformation and energy efficiency projects under MAtchUp, integrating private sector innovation into climate solutions
• National financing tools:
  • İller Bankası (National Bank for Municipal Internal Budget)
  • Support from Western Mediterranean Development Agency (BAKA) for feasibility and implementation

• Innovative revenue strategies:
  • Ongoing exploration of tourism-linked environmental levies as sustainable climate finance mechanisms
• In-house implementation capacity:
  • Some projects are executed by municipal departments and affiliates, reducing external consultancy reliance and strengthening internal know-how

The city’s climate action efforts have yielded measurable outcomes across energy, transportation, water, and education, reinforcing its leadership in urban sustainability.

• Carbon-neutral status achieved at two major municipal buildings: the Main Service Building (2022) and ASAT Headquarters (2023)
• Targeting a 40% emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050
• 17 municipal solar power plants generating 21,000 MWh/year—meeting the energy needs of 7,250 households—alongside 4 biomass energy facilities
• Renewable energy support for 16,254 farmers, enabling solar-powered irrigation over 43,000 decares; solar integration reaching 85% of irrigation needs
• 148 smart intersections implemented to reduce travel time and urban fuel consumption
• 152 km of bicycle lanes, a 97% increase since 2019, promoting sustainable urban mobility
• More than 2.4 million saplings and 3,150 climate-resilient trees planted, contributing to ecosystem restoration
• The Environmental Education and Innovation Centre has delivered 429 workshops and events, engaging 3,856 participants since 2022

Achieved CDP Leadership level in adaptation (2023) demonstrating excellence in climate governance

• Recipient of 21 national and international awards in areas such as smart mobility, integrated waste management, and environmental education

Despite strong institutional progress, Antalya still encounters obstacles that hinder broader climate impact, particularly in legal authority, funding, and data access.

• Data access challenges for local governments
• Funding limitations for scaling ambitious actions
• Institutional resilience under political transitions
• Need for legal backing (e.g., national Climate Law still pending)
• High vulnerability due to climate-exposed geography and tourism-driven economy

Antalya's integrated climate roadmap has already served as a model within Türkiye through pilot programs and peer exchanges (e.g., MAtchUp, Solar School, Green Cities Project). In addition to smart transport, circular waste, and digital agriculture systems, the city’s hands-on experience with municipal-led renewable energy support for farmers, VR-based environmental education, and climate-resilient afforestation and landscaping practices offers practical insights for other coastal and tourism-driven cities. Antalya’s in-house implementation capacity and its cross-departmental coordination model further enhance the scalability and adaptability of its approach.

Antalya has emerged as a national leader in urban climate action, combining ambitious emissions targets, systemic resilience strategies, and community engagement. Its actions reflect a balanced mix of innovation, international collaboration, and strong municipal leadership.

• Covenant of Mayors Europe
• CDP Cities
• NetZeroCities
• Antalya Metropolitan Municipality

• Dr. Fulya Kandemir (UTM’s Antalya contact person)

Senior Researcher, Climate Change and Zero Waste Department
Email: fulya.kandemir@antalya.bel.tr

• Özlem Kılıçarslan

Environmental Engineer, Climate Change and Zero Waste Department
E-mail: ozlem.kilicarslan@antalya.bel.tr

• Melike Kireçcibaşı

Head of Department, Climate Change and Zero Waste Department
E-mail: mkireccibasi@antalya.bel.tr