Abstract:

Türkiye’s developmental trajectory has undergone a highly dynamic evolution from the proclamation of the Republic. One significant component of this process is constituted by energy and environmental policies. While energy caters a fundamental need of modern societies, environmental policies aspire to ensure the sustainable utilization of natural resources and the preservation of the environment. Striving to strike a delicate balance between development goals, energy supply and environmental conservation, Türkiye has traversed diverse phases in its pursuit of equilibrium. Since the inception of the Republic, Türkiye has escalated its demand for energy resources with the intention of expediting industrialization and modernization. The escalating demand for energy supply, unable to meet the requirements, resulted in an increased dependence on external sources giving rise to a structure reliant on the import of energy resources, particularly fossil fuels. In this study, traditional and modern developmental theories are initially presented, elucidating the transformation from a conventional developmental approach to a contemporary one in energy and environmental policies. Subsequently, within the context of these processes, Türkiye’s developmental predicament in the past century and the country’s energy and environmental policies within the ambit of this predicament are investigated through the literature review methodology. This study provides a vital perspective to comprehend Türkiye’s transition in energy and environmental policies from the past to the present, thereby shaping prospective strategies, as the centenary of the Republic approaches.

Keywords: