Turkey has published further rules for acquiring a “green certificate” for buildings. The latest developments address establishment of evaluation bodies and documentation systems. The voluntary certification scheme supports reductions to adverse environmental impacts of buildings and settlements by encouraging use of natural resources and clean energy.
The Regulation on Green Certificate for Buildings and Settlements (“Regulation”) was published in Official Gazette number 30279 on 23 December 2017, entering into effect on the same date.
“Green Buildings” are defined as being sustainable, energy efficient, harmonious with the environment, and suitable to minimize negative environmental impacts throughout their life cycle. These negative impacts include location selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, demolition and disposal.
The Regulation states that to obtain a voluntary green certificate, a building or settlement’s owner can apply to an “Evaluation Organization”, via a green certification specialist.
The following entities are eligible to apply to the Ministry of Environment to become an Evaluation Organization:
- Non-governmental organizations operating in the fields of sustainable buildings and sustainable settlements.
- Public institutions and organizations.
- Universities.
- Institutions and organizations registered in accordance with the Turkish Engineers and Architects Law number 6235.
Existing legislation for green buildings has also been systematically overhauled by the Regulation, which abolishes the regime outlined in the Regulation on Certification of Sustainable Green Buildings and Sustainable Settlements, published in Official Gazette number 29199, on 8 December 2014.
Please see this link for the full text of the Regulation (only available in Turkish).
