Our University carried out activities throughout 2025 in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based environmental groups in the areas of climate change adaptation, protection of natural resources and ecosystems, reduction of forest fire risks, afforestation, protection of coastal and marine ecosystems, sustainable consumption, zero waste, and environmental awareness.
One of the most concrete examples of this approach is the work carried out throughout 2025 by the KTU Young TEMA Club, which operates within our University. The University’s 2025 sustainability report on student clubs documents numerous activities carried out by Young TEMA in the fields of environmental protection, climate responsibility, protection of natural resources, and sustainable living. According to the report, 90 student clubs were active at our University in 2025 and organised a total of 742 events. A significant number of these activities focused on environmental awareness, zero waste, volunteering, sustainable living, and climate awareness.
On 24 September 2025, Young TEMA organised a coastal clean-up event as part of World Cleanup Day, aiming to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, reduce environmental pollution, and raise public awareness of sustainable living. Similarly, coastal clean-up activities under the theme “Clean Shores, Clean Future” were organised on 26 April 2025 and 9 November 2025. A further coastal clean-up activity was carried out on 30 November 2025 within the scope of the UNIDES Project. These activities contributed to reducing coastal pollution and protecting coastal ecosystems.
Our University also carried out active initiatives with NGO-based student organisations in the areas of afforestation and the protection of natural ecosystems. On 11 November 2025, Young TEMA organised a tree-planting event to raise awareness of natural resource conservation and environmental responsibility. In addition, tree-planting and environmental education activities were carried out with children at BeÅŸikdüzü Kindergarten on 26 March 2025 and BeÅŸikdüzü Atatürk Kindergarten on 13 April 2025. These activities contributed to ecosystem protection, an important component of climate adaptation, while also promoting environmental awareness from an early age.
A direct awareness activity was also carried out in 2025 on forest fires, one of the disaster risks that may be intensified by climate change. On 12 May 2025, Young TEMA implemented the “Before It Burns” Project, through which participants were informed about forest fire prevention, environmental protection, and sustainable ecosystem management.
Furthermore, a Sustainability Awareness Stand was organised on 26 November 2025, followed by an Environmental Awareness Stand on 5 December 2025. These activities provided information on environmental sustainability, climate responsibility, protection of natural resources, and volunteering. In addition, the “Being a TEMA Volunteer” training held on 3 December 2025 aimed to improve participants’ knowledge of and engagement in environmental protection, volunteering, and sustainable living.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/ogrencikulupleri
https://www.instagram.com/ktugenctema
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/fbesbp/etkinlik/integrated-approaches-to-environmental-sustainability-water-waste-and-climate-change-resilience
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/orman/etkinlik/iklim-degisikligi-surecinde-su-ve-orman-yonetimi-paneli-H
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/ormanmuhendisligi/etkinlik/sel-taskin-ve-heyelanlarin-onlenmesinde-ormanlarin-rolu-b
In conclusion, our University actively collaborated in 2025 with NGOs and volunteer-based environmental organisations in the areas of forest and coastal ecosystem protection, afforestation, awareness of forest fire risks, sustainable consumption, zero waste, climate responsibility, and environmental education. These activities contributed to strengthening climate adaptation capacity, increasing ecosystem resilience, and enhancing environmental awareness within the local community.
