"Local Climate Change Training Program", which was designed in coordination with TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency, Marmara Municipalities Union Local Government Academy (YYA) and Sustainability and Climate Change Center (SIM) in order to improve the capacity of local governments on climate change and related issues, was held on 11-12 January on the online platform. The training program, which was attended by approximately 300 people, started with the opening speeches of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nesimi Özkurt, Leader of Air Quality and Environmental Noise Technologies Research Group of TÜBİTAK MAM Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidency and Dr. Ahmet Cihat Kahraman, Environmental Management Coordinator of Union of Marmara Municipalities.
On the first day of the 2-day training program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. 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, officials from Kadıköy Municipality, İzmit Municipality and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality 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 on the methods applied in the preparation of local climate change action plans, local greenhouse gas emission inventory preparations, data and sample actions used in determining greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation actions. Afterwards, Özge Sivrikaya, Senior Specialist on Foreign Relations and Projects of Union of Marmara Municipalities, made a presentation on international city networks and the tools they use. The session was completed with experience sharing presentations of Nilüfer Municipality, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and Pendik Municipality officials.
The training program, which was designed as an introduction to the issues of climate change and its effects on local governments, was found useful by the participants and it was emphasized that new programs should be created.
