The year 2024 was marked by the severe impacts of ecocide -the destruction of nature- both in Türkiye and around the world. Significant environmental issues included soil erosion, land degradation caused by unsustainable industrial activities and unregulated mining, the depletion and damage of water resources, threats to food security, disasters intensified by the climate crisis, and the alarming loss of biodiversity.
Coal-centered energy policies and Group IV metallic mining activities (such as gold, silver, copper, nickel, etc.) caused significant damage to our natural assets. The 2024–2028 Strategic Plan published at the end of the year by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced plans to expand mining, oil and natural gas exploration and extraction activities, as well as nuclear energy capacity, which increased concerns that ecocide may intensify in the coming years. Additionally, last year’s pressure from unecological urban and rural planning and construction further deepened the negative impact on ecosystems.
Despite this challenging picture, there were also hopeful developments thanks to ongoing nature conservation efforts. As TEMA Foundation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every citizen who stands up for life and our natural assets, working tirelessly for the protection of nature. With this compilation we have prepared for you, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the 2024 environmental agenda — bringing together the positive steps that strengthened our conservation efforts and the negative developments that posed threats to our ecosystems.
As we welcome a new year, we affirm "You Know, You Are Responsible" that protecting nature is a shared responsibility. We recognize the need for all segments of society to act in unity, and we aim to take collective steps toward a more sustainable future.
Positive Environmental News from 2024
Good News from Avdan
The court has annulled the “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Positive” decision regarding the planned coal mine capacity expansion in Avdan village, located in the Tavas district of Denizli province. This outcome was achieved following a lawsuit filed by the Avdan Platform.
The important court ruling achieved through the determined and rightful struggle of the people of Avdan once again demonstrated the vital importance of standing up for our environment and our future.
Cancellation of Project that Would Have Turned Eskişehir into a Mining Waste Site
In Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir province, the court annulled the “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Positive” decision granted for the construction of a third waste storage dam and a capacity expansion for the Kaymaz Gold Mine, which has been operating for over 10 years.
It was determined that under the project, 149 truckloads of ore would be transported daily from Çanakkale to Eskişehir. Furthermore, our investigations revealed that ore transport from several other provinces to Eskişehir was also planned.
Thanks to the cancellation of this ruling, a major threat to the region’s natural assets and public health was averted.
Olive Trees Won Against Mining
With the amendment introduced to the Mining Regulation published in the Official Gazette on March 1, 2022, olive groves were opened to mining activities for energy purposes. In the lawsuit we filed against the amendment, the 8th Chamber of the Council of State found this regulation unlawful and annulled it. With this ruling, our olive groves are protected against mining activities.
Court Overturned Feldspar Quarry Project in the Kazdağları Mountains
In the village of Yanıklar, located in the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale province, the court annulled the “EIA Not Required” ruling for the planned Feldspar Quarry Project. The ruling stated that the project would cause significant harm to natural assets and that a cumulative impact assessment had not been conducted. Similar rulings are expected for other Group IV metallic mining projects in the region.
Nejla Işık was chosen as “Inspiring Woman”
Nejla Işık, the village head of İkizköy, who has been fighting for years against a coal mine in Akbelen Forest, was included in BBC’s 100 Inspiring Women list as an example to everyone through her struggle. The presence, solidarity, and impact of women in the ecological struggle continue to give hope to us all.
Belgium became the first European country to recognize ecocide as a crime
Belgium broke new ground by becoming the first European country to recognize “ecocide” as a crime. This landmark decision represents a significant step toward protecting the natural environment and implementing effective legal measures against ecological destruction.
In Türkiye, all kinds of activities that cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem, natural and cultural environment, and threaten the right to life of living beings should be defined as crimes according to the Penal Code, and the "Ecocide Law" should be developed and put into effect as soon as possible, in order to punish all criminals, including the permit processes for these activities.
Negative Environmental News of 2024
The disaster in İliç was a tragedy foretold
The disaster occurring at the Çöpler Gold Mine operating in the İliç district of Erzincan on February 13 claimed the lives of 9 mine workers. The collapse in the mine and the mixing of numerous toxic chemical wastes, especially cyanide, into the Euphrates Basin created irreversible pollution on our natural assets.
At the same mining site, on June 21, 2022, a cyanide solution pipe burst, releasing tons of chemicals into the environment. Unregulated mining activities continue to intensify each day, posing an increasing threat to our natural resources and human life.
Do not let earthquakes lead to secondary disasters
Nearly two years have passed since the February 6 earthquakes, yet debris are still dumped haphazardly, continuing to threaten both human health and natural areas. No solution has been devised yet for the debris dumped in the Milleyha Bird Sanctuary in Hatay. These areas, of critical importance for natural life and biodiversity, urgently need to be protected.
In the reconstruction process, efforts to meet housing needs are also causing damage to natural areas. Unfortunately, olive groves are under threat from both debris and construction pressure.
As TEMA Foundation, we emphasize that housing projects must be planned by considering social, economic, and ecological values, and that a holistic planning process should be followed in the regions hit by earthquake through the participation of the public.
Nature advocator Reşit Kibar was murdered!
In Artvin’s Hopa district, Reşit Kibar, who stood up to protect the forest and land against a project planned in a wooded area, lost his life after being shot by a representative of the company that had won the tree-cutting tender.
As TEMA Foundation, we commemorated Reşit Kibar at his grave with respect. His courage in defending the trees will always remind us of the need to respect the right to life of all living beings.
Aunt Hatice Fined
Hatice Kocalar, a 75-year-old resident of Avdan village in the Tavas district of Denizli province, was prosecuted and fined for allegedly assaulting coal company representatives who entered her field despite the Council of State’s ruling to halt the project.
We support Aunt Hatice’s rightful struggle, who said, “One who protects their land cannot be a criminal”. We once again emphasize that no one who defends their land, air, and water should ever be punished.
Let Bayramiç not become another Kirazlı!
In the legal process we initiated for the annulment of the “EIA Positive” decision issued for the Halilağa Copper Mine project planned in Bayramiç district of Çanakkale province, we won the first case. However, through additions made to the EIA report under Circular No. 2009/7, a new “EIA Positive” decision was issued. In the second lawsuit we filed against this ruling, the expert report clearly revealed the negative impacts of the project, yet the court ignored these findings and rejected our case.
If implemented, the mining project -with a license area roughly the size of 8,000 football pitches- will consume the amount of water more than 100,000 people use in Çanakkale in a year and will threaten agricultural production as well as all living beings in the region. For this reason, we hope our appeal to the Council of State will result in our favor.
Time is running out for Türkiye — coal must be phased out urgently!
This year, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Baku placed climate finance at the center of its agenda. However, countries historically responsible for the worsening climate crisis continue to fail to fulfill their obligations, while calls for climate justice from nations most affected by floods, droughts, and extreme weather incidents are growing louder. Moreover, the COP29 target of $300 billion in climate financing falls far short when compared to the massive annual profits of major oil and gas companies, which exceed $400 billion.
Türkiye, meanwhile, stood out due to shortcomings in its national climate and energy policies. The 2053 Long-Term Climate Strategy, announced during the summit, lacks concrete goals for phasing out coal or abandoning fossil fuels. 2024–2028 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources also foresees increased investments in coal, nuclear energy and mining.
As TEMA Foundation, we advocate for the establishment of a model of life in harmony with nature through the collaboration of all sectors and for the strengthening of current policies in the fight against the climate crisis.
The climate crisis is intensifying disasters
The year 2024 saw record-breaking average temperatures and more clearly felt impacts of climate change. The World Meteorological Organization announced that the 1.5°C threshold is now under serious threat. Meanwhile, the severity of disasters such as floods, storms, and hurricanes increased globally while scientific studies directly linked these incidents to climate change.
A study conducted in London revealed that Hurricane Milton, described as the "Hurricane of the Century" with a toll of at least 16 people, would have been a Category 2 storm—less severe—if not for climate change. Another storm in 2024, Hurricane Helene, claimed the lives of 232 people. These findings once again highlight the devastating impact of the climate crisis on our lives.
As scientific studies have shown, the primary cause of rising temperatures is human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, it is highly important to implement adaptation policies that protect public health from heatwaves and to enforce fair climate policies.
92% of the population of Türkiye breathes polluted air
According to the data in the Dark Report published annually by the Right to Clean Air Platform (THHP), which examines air pollution and its impacts on health in Türkiye, 92% of the country's population breathes polluted air. In major cities such as İzmir, Ankara, and İstanbul, air pollution levels exceed national limit values. This is not only an environmental issue but also a serious public health crisis.
For instance, in Hakkari province, if the PM2.5 level had been reduced below 5 µg/m³, 41% of the 230 air pollution related deaths could have been prevented. Hakkari is followed by provinces such as Batman, Şırnak, Muş, Malatya, Iğdır, Şanlıurfa, Ağrı, Osmaniye, and Gaziantep in air pollution-related mortality rates. According to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the provinces with the highest number of deaths due to air pollution happened in İstanbul with 8,357 deaths, followed by İzmir and Bursa with 4,852 and 3,657 deaths respectively.
We once again emphasize the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels -especially coal- to implement clean air policies and protect both our planet and public health.
The threat of mucilage in the Sea of Marmara continues
Mucilage, which covered the Sea of Marmara in 2021 and turned into a major environmental disaster, reappeared in the Gulf of Erdek. According to our Scientific Committee Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı, mucilage was detected at depths of 10–24 meters during dives conducted in October, and if no preventive measures are taken, serious risks may arise for the Sea of Marmara in the spring and summer months. This phenomenon has a negative impact on the marine ecosystem due to factors such as the increase in organic waste in the seas, rising sea water temperatures, and stratification in marine waters.
We underline the urgent need to reduce the pollution load in the Sea of Marmara, to stop discharging untreated waste into the seas, and to take decisive steps to protect our water resources.
Let the Gerede Stream flow clean!
Stretching from Bolu to Zonguldak and sustaining hundreds of villages and thousands of living beings, the Gerede Stream fought for its survival in 2024. Ongoing pollution caused by factories discharging their waste into the stream has led to mass fish and cattle deaths and continues to negatively affect life in surrounding villages.
In cooperation with the Let the Gerede Stream Flow Clean Platform, we are fighting to stop this pollution by calling for all pollution sources to be brought under control, increasing inspections of factories, and taking action to eliminate existing contamination. We continue to call upon the authorities to take action.
In İzmir, a forest area roughly the size of 2,200 football pitches was burned
The year 2024 was once again marked by devastating forest fires. The forest fires of 2021, causing severe environmental destruction in Çanakkale province, had reminded us of the importance of always being prepared. This year, numerous forest fires in İzmir deeply saddened us all. One major fire breaking out on August 13 in the forested area of Mount Yamanlar in İzmir’s Karşıyaka district spread to the borders of Çiğli and Bornova. It took five days of intense efforts to bring the fire under control. In this large-scale fire, which also damaged non-forest areas, approximately 1,650 hectares of forest land -equivalent to 2,200 football pitches- were destroyed.
Additional Article 16 of the Forest Law poses a threat to forests
In 2024, under Additional Article 16 of Forest Law No. 6831, five presidential decrees were issued, resulting in the removal of a total of 1,444 hectares of forest land (approximately 2,000 football pitches) from forest boundaries across 23 provinces. Since the enactment of the law on April 28, 2017, applications of Additional Article 16 have made it possible to sell or open for development 3,100 hectares of forest land (about 4,140 football pitches) in nearly 600 locations across 39 provinces.
As TEMA Foundation, we once again call for the repeal of this article, which threatens our forest assets and may lead to an increase in forest-related crimes. We are closely monitoring these practices and taking unlawful actions to court.
We must remember that protecting our forests is vital not only for environmental sustainability but also for leaving a more livable world to future generations.
You Know, You Are Responsible TEMA Foundation
