In the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is emphasized that climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions poses irreversible risks to humans and the environment, and that any delay in combating climate change will threaten a livable and sustainable future for everyone. The Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Conference in 2015, and enforced on November 4th, 2016, intends to continue global efforts to keep the global average temperature increase well below 2 °C by the end of this century (2100), and not exceed 1.5 °C. Following the Paris Agreement, the European Union published the European Green Deal (AYM) in December 2019 and set a target of 50-55% emission reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. In our country, the law on the approval of the Paris Agreement was published in the Resmi Gazete (official gazette) on October 7, 2021, and inured. In addition, our President declared a net zero emission target for our country for 2053. The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen global socio-economic resilience against the threat of climate change. Within the scope of combating climate change, greenhouse gas reduction measures should be implemented in all activities, especially energy, transportation, industry, urbanization and agriculture. In this direction, reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing the use of renewable energy, ensuring the transition to a circular economy model, carrying out agricultural activities within the framework of sustainability principles, and protecting the quantity and quality of water resources are among the preferential concerns. Bilkent University carries out studies to raise individuals who are useful to society and contribute to the development and progress of our country, as well as to protect the environment and increase environmental awareness with its education and training activities, research studies and industrial collaborations at national and international levels. Bilkent University has undertaken the mission of raising awareness about climate change and transforming it into a structure where resources, especially energy, are used efficiently, waste is reduced, waste is recycled, and carbon footprint is low. Our university aims to produce smart solutions for more efficient use of our national resources by expanding its actions on Zero Waste (Sıfır Atık), which has been ongoing since 2020.
In line with its goal of becoming an Eco-Friendly University, Bilkent University works to develop and implement policies on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting and sustainably using natural resources, and combating climate change.
Bilkent University aims to protect regional and national welfare with low carbon density and an effective water management system with the prepared Climate Change Action Plan. In this context, short, medium and long-term planning and capacity development opportunities for adaptation to climate change in the areas of Energy, Transportation, Water Management, Waste Management, Land Management and Education and Awareness Raising have been investigated.
Bilkent University has a single campus on a large area considered as a suburban area on the 12th kilometer of the Ankara-Eskişehir highway; however, it has divided its campus into 3 parts: Main, East and Middle. The university, which is located on a total of 5000 acres of land, has a semi-arid climate.
The university, which has a very high forest and vegetation cover, has a total campus area of 2,954,109 m², and the area where academic activities are carried out on the campus is 1,381,494 m². The total area covered by the campus buildings is 537,778 m², and the total ground area of these buildings is 148,555 m².
94.97% of the total campus area consists of the mentioned forest and vegetation. The total forest cover area is 1,622,442 m², and its share in the total area is 54.92%. In the 795,000 m² area outside the forest area, there are different types of trees and flowers planted and maintained every year by the Environmental Arrangement and Protection Directorate. The share of these areas in the total area is 26.91%. There is approximately 331,230 m² of area within the campus borders where water absorption is provided.