“Local Climate Change Training Program”, designed under the coordination of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency, Marmara Municipalities Union Local Government Academy (YYA) and Sustainability and Climate Change Center (SİM) in order to develop the capacities of local governments on climate change and related issues, was held online on January 11-12. The training program, attended by approximately 300 people, started with the opening remarks of TÜBİTAK MAM Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency, Air Quality and Environmental Noise Technologies Research Group Leader Assoc. Prof. Nesimi Özkurt and Marmara Municipalities Union Environmental Management Coordinator Dr. Ahmet Cihat Kahraman.
On the first day of the 2-day training program, Assoc. Prof. Haldun Karan, Dr. Deniz Sarı and Ece Gizem Çakmak gave information about the climate change process, national and international policies, greenhouse gas emission sources, the importance of local climate change policies and the main components of local climate change action plans. Afterwards, Kadıköy Municipality, İzmit Municipality and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality officials shared their experiences in the process of creating local climate policies.
On the second day of the training program, Dr. Deniz Sarı and Ece Gizem Çakmak shared information about the methods in the preparation of local climate change action plans, the preparations for the local greenhouse gas emission inventory, the data used in determining the greenhouse gas reduction and adaptation actions to climate change, and exemplary actions. Then, Marmara Municipalities Union Foreign Relations and Projects Senior Specialist Özge Sivrikaya made a presentation on international city networks and their tools. The session was completed with the experience sharing presentations of Nilüfer Municipality, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and Pendik Municipality officials.
The participants found the training program useful, which was designed as an introduction to climate change and its effects on local governments, and requested the organization of new, follow-up programs.