The effect of digitalization on the management of environmental policies: Comparison between Turkey and the European Union

This thesis study comparatively examines the impact of digitalization on the management of environmental policies through the examples of Turkey and the European Union (EU). The accelerating digital transformation in the 21st century is reshaping environmental policies alongside economic and social structures. Factors such as population growth, accelerated resource consumption, and the deepening climate crisis have necessitated innovative and technology-focused approaches to solving environmental problems. Digitalization provides multifaceted contributions to environmental management, including data-driven decisionmaking, effective monitoring, sustainable management of natural resources, and policy development. Within the theoretical framework of the thesis, the concept of digital transformation is addressed through the stages of digitization and digitalization, covering both technical and administrative dimensions. Digital systems in Turkey, such as e-Government, UYAP, MHRS, MERNIS, GIS, and the Revenue Administration, have improved efficiency, transparency, citizen participation, and service accessibility in public services while being evaluated for their indirect effects on environmental policies. The European Union, on the other hand, is a leading actor directly integrating digital technologies into environmental policies through tools such as eIDAS, INSPIRE Geoportal, Horizon Europe, the Green Deal, and the Digital Single Market strategies. The thesis comprehensively analyzes the role of technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in environmental monitoring, natural resource management, and climate policies. In addition, risks of digitalization, including data security, digital inequality, electronic waste, carbon footprint, and legal gaps, are also discussed. This situation necessitates the management of digital transformation through multidimensional strategies. A mixed-methods approach was employed in the research; qualitative methods evaluated policy documents and literature, while quantitative methods assessed statistical data. The digital applications in environmental policies of the EU and Turkey were compared in terms of scope, institutional structure, legislation, and technology use. The results show that the EU conducts environmental digitalization more systematically and policy-oriented, whereas Turkey, despite rapidly expanding digitalization in public services, remains limited in developing specific digital strategies for environmental policies. The study emphasizes the need for Turkey to enhance its strategic capacity by benefiting from the EU model. This thesis, which examines the impacts of digitalization on environmental policies at both theoretical and practical levels, offers guiding recommendations for policymakers.