The Emissions Trading System Under Turkish Law

Introduction

On 9 July 2025, Climate Law No. 7552 was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force immediately, establishing Türkiye’s first comprehensive climate legislation and, more importantly for the readers of this article, the legal foundation for a national Emissions Trading System.

The era of unpriced carbon in Türkiye is over.

That is not hyperbole. The TR ETS pilot phase is launching in 2026. Secondary legislation is being finalized. The Carbon Market Board has been constituted. And the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has already begun imposing financial obligations on imports from countries without equivalent carbon pricing, which means Turkish exporters of steel, cement, aluminium, and fertilizers are feeling the pressure right now, as you read this.