Türkiye renewable energy adaptation policies in the context of the European Union Green Deal

This thesis examines Türkiye's renewable energy-based adaptation policy within the framework of the European Green Deal, identifying structural, institutional, legal, and financial barriers; it proposes a feasible strategic roadmap for Türkiye to achieve its 2053 net-zero emissions target. The study addresses the alignment of EU legislation with Türkiye's domestic law within a comprehensive framework that includes energy markets, financing models, and industrial transformation. The aim of the thesis is to examine Türkiye's renewable energy-based alignment policy within the framework of the EU Green Deal, identify structural, institutional, and legal barriers, and present a feasible roadmap for achieving the 2053 net-zero emissions target. The study is based on the Green Theory approach in the discipline of international relations, evaluating Ian Manners' Normative Power Europe and Chad Damro's Market Power Europe frameworks together. The thesis's fundamental assumption is that Türkiye's success in alignment depends not only on technical and regulatory compliance but also on its capacity to develop an international strategy that encompasses normative, multilateral, and security dimensions. This four-part study presents, in order: (i) the theoretical background, (ii) the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 instruments (ETS, CBAM, etc.), (iii) an analysis of Türkiye's current situation (institutional structure, policies, financing), and (iv) short-, medium-, and long-term policy recommendations. The findings show that Türkiye has made significant progress in its renewable energy capacity; however, SKDM/CBAM pressure, grid infrastructure inadequacies, lack of energy storage, and delays in the legal infrastructure of the National Emission Trading System are hindering compliance. Consequently, the thesis argues that Türkiye can be a leading actor in regional energy transformation and increase its political power through its renewable energy potential and geopolitical advantages, rather than being a passive conformist to the Green Deal. It is emphasized that the success of compliance depends on the capacity to develop normative, multilateral, and climate security-focused international strategies beyond technical legislation. Keywords: European Green Deal, normative power Europe, green theory, green political economy, climate change, climate security.