Climate Change
The Climate Change program has been one of IPC’s main research priorities since 2013. IPC’s Climate Change Program publishes policy papers and reports on the energy transition, green economy, mitigation and adaptation policies, and the economic impacts of climate change. The Climate Change program works in the following thematic areas.
The Climate Change programme works in the following thematic areas.
Mitigation | Climate Diplomacy | Adaptation and Resilience | Knowledge and Communication
IPC’s Climate Change Program acts as a key platform to bring together stakeholders involved in climate action by providing opportunities for collaboration and dialogue with experts, academics, the public, civil society, and the private sector to increase the impact of actions on climate change. IPC represents Turkey in the Climate Transparency Network and the Mediterranean Alliance of Think Tanks on Climate Change (MATTCCh).
The Climate Change Program’s main research focus is to promote low-carbon SHURA ENERGY TRANSITION CENTER development, lead industrial decarbonization efforts—particularly in the steel sector—and contribute to the energy transition agenda by advocating for the gradual phase-out of coal. It also promotes a just transition to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable future. Through strategic partnerships with institutions such as Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa, Boğaziçi University, and the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ), IPC has made significant contributions to understanding the health impacts of climate change.
#ClimatePolicies | #ClimateChange | #GreenTransition | #JustTransition | #ClimateAction
Networks
- Climate Transparency
- MATTCCh
Partnerships
- International Climate Politics Hub
- Climate Policy Lab
Gelecek Etkinlikler
COP31 Insights 3: Setting the Scene for Mediterranean Agenda for COP31
The third event in the webinar series “COP31 Insights,” organized as part of IPC’s preparations for COP31, took place on October 26, featuring Gabriele Cassetti, Hanne Knaepen, Yara Saab, and Bengisu Özenç.
The Future of International Climate Governance: How Can COP31 Respond to the Climate and Energy Security Crises?
Jointly organised by TEPAV and Istanbul Policy Center, the event took place at TEPAV on 26 October 2026. Moderated by Mühdan Sağlam and featuring Jennifer Morgan and Ümit Şahin, the discussion explored the future of international climate governance and how COP31 could respond to the climate and energy security crises.
Visit to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye
2026 Mercator–IPC Visiting Senior Fellow Jennifer Morgan and Head of the Climate Change Program at IPC Ümit Şahin met with Ayşin Turpancı, Head of Climate Negotiations and International Policies Department at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye, on October 26 in Ankara.
Final Preparations for COP31: Towards Antalya
Organised by Istanbul Policy Center on 23 October 2026, the event “Pre-COP: Final Discussions Before Antalya” explored key issues on the climate diplomacy agenda ahead of COP31 and expectations for Antalya. The morning sessions, held in English, focused on climate and energy security, geopolitical uncertainties, multilateralism and climate finance. The afternoon sessions, held in Turkish, examined priorities and challenges in the COP31 negotiations, as well as expectations for Antalya.
IPC Pre-COP: Final Discussions Before Antalya
As COP31 in Antalya approaches, Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) invites you to "IPC Pre-COP: Final Discussions Before Antalya" on October 23, 2026.
COP31 Explained 5: Finance and Trade in Antalya: What to Expect at COP31?
The fifth session of the “Understanding COP31” webinar series, organised by Istanbul Policy Center on 7 October 2026, explored the latest developments in climate finance and international trade negotiations ahead of COP31. The session was moderated by Ümit Şahin, with Bahar Güçlü and Arif Cem Gündoğan as speakers.
LOVPRELAE: Local Value Creation and Participation in Renewable Energy: Regulatory Frameworks in Latin America and Europe
Supported by the European Commission and TÜBİTAK, the LOVPRELAE project runs from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. Covering Germany, Türkiye, Brazil, and Peru, the project investigates how different regulatory and institutional contexts shape citizen participation in renewable energy projects.
Türkiye-Europe Climate Bridge
The Turkey–Europe Climate Bridge project is supported by Stiftung Mercator and coordinated by Sabancı University–Istanbul Policy Center (IPC). It aims to strengthen dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation between climate policy institutions in Turkey and Europe.
Towards COP31
The Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) is implementing a year-long COP31 project aimed at supporting Türkiye's COP31 Presidency through knowledge production, policy dialogue, and stakeholder engagement. Launched in February 2026, the project brings together webinars, policy dialogues, podcast series, research outputs, and international partnerships to strengthen understanding of and engagement with COP31.
Just Transition in Coal Sector in Türkiye
The Just Transition in the Coal Sector in Türkiye project is supported by the European Union Climate Dialogues 2 programme (EUCDs2) and builds on IPC’s just transition research launched in 2024. Running from January 2026 to May 2027, the project focuses on barriers to developing just transition policies and on public outreach and communications.
Decarbonization of the Turkish Steel Sector
The Decarbonization of the Turkish Steel Sector Project, funded by the European Climate Foundation and implemented by Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center, began in June 2022. Comprising five phases, the project aims to identify the decarbonization needs of the iron and steel sector and contribute analytical data and assessments to support these efforts in line with Türkiye’s 2053 net-zero emissions target.
Promoting Just Transition in Turkey
The first phase of the Promoting Just Transition in Türkiye Project, implemented by Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center under the EU-funded EU Climate Dialogues Programme (EUCD), took place between 28 September 2023 and 31 August 2024. The second phase began in December 2025 under the same funding and implementation arrangements and is scheduled to conclude in May 2027 after 18 months.
Ümit Şahin
Head of Climate Change Program, Senior Scholar
Akgün İlhan
2019/20 Mercator-IPC Fellow, Project Coordinator
Onur Akgül
IPM Researcher & Project Coordinator
Dursun Baş
IPC Researcher and Project Coordinator
Dijan Balkaroğlu
Project Coordinator