Resource Environment and Climate Association (REC)

Resource Environment and Climate Association (REC)

Resource, Environment and Climate Association (REC) [tr: Kaynak Çevre ve İklim Derneği] established in order to produce data and information, to facilitate public debate and to formulate public policies in the areas of circular economy, climate change and nature protection in Turkiye. REC is an independent, non-profit think tank based in Ankara, Turkiye.

REC actively works on thematic areas such as circular economy and waste management; climate change mitigation and adaptation; nature protection and biodiversity; environmental educational tools; environmental financing; environmental management; law development, enforcement and compliance; municipalities; participatory approaches and water management. REC works closely with all major stakeholders, including the government, public institutions, municipalities, academy, NGOs, businesses and the finance sector. Thanks to its non-advocacy and non-partisan character, it has a neutral working relationship with all sectors and stakeholders.

The Resource Environment and Climate Association continues the activities of REC Türkiye, which served as the Türkiye office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe—an international, non-profit organization independent of political views and interest groups. REC Türkiye operated in Türkiye for 18 years, from 2004 to 2022, and officially transferred its projects to the Resource Environment and Climate Association on February 11, 2022. Within this framework, the association collaborates with REC offices established in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

To achieve this goal, we focus on enhancing collaboration, information sharing, and joint decision-making processes among public administration, civil society organizations, the private sector, and all other stakeholders through projects implemented with diverse financial resources.

REC’s Scope of Work

REC’s scope of work covers wide range of services and studies that includes:

Resource and Waste Management/Circular Economy

REC addresses the challenges associated with the negative environmental impacts generated by the use of natural resources; the rising costs of essential raw materials and minerals, their scarcity and price volatility; and the EU’s resource dependency. Activities cover the thematic areas of resource efficiency; waste and circular economy; industrial emissions and sustainable production; and eco-innovation.

Climate Change/Low Carbon Development

REC enhances the integration of climate policy requirements and commitments into national decision-making processes; and promotes sustainable, clean energy management and the rational use of natural resources to pave the way towards a low-carbon society.

Biodiversity/Nature Protection

REC actively promotes public participation and provides assistance in the designation and management of territories and sites with natural values, for example implementing projects on Natura 2000.

Education for Sustainable Development

REC creates specific educational tools promoting sustainable development values through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach; strengthen teacher education through training, the sharing of experience and cooperation; and raise public awareness by developing tools and campaigns to increase public knowledge of sustainable development issues.