16.3.1. Provide expert advice to government

Middle East Technical University (METU) actively provides specialized expert advice, scientific evidence, and policy guidance to national ministries and local governments through large-scale environmental projects, technical consultancies, and municipal climate action planning. Key initiatives include coordinating the national MARMOD Phase III Project in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and delivering technical advisory services for the Çankaya Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) led by METU Faculty of Architecture experts.

1. National Government Expert Advice: MARMOD Phase III Project (2024–2025)

• Project Governance: Commencing on July 10, 2024, and concluding in December 2025, the Marmara Sea Integrated Modeling System (MARMOD) Phase III Project is coordinated by the METU Institute of Marine Sciences under the leadership of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

• Scope and Policy Impact: The project develops a digital twin structure, data management tools, and 3D models to support the implementation of the Marmara Sea Integrated Strategic Plan. Activities include monitoring expeditions, big data integration, climate projections, and scenario generation.

• Data Integration: All data, observations, and outputs feed directly into the Ministry’s Continuous Monitoring Center (SİM) managed by the General Directorate of EIA, Permit and Inspection, Laboratory, Measurement and Monitoring Department (https://sim.csb.gov.tr/).

https://marmod.ims.metu.edu.tr/marmod-faz-iii/

2. Local Government Expert Advice: Çankaya SECAP Technical Consultancy (2024–2025) (Local and regional)

• Municipal Climate Partnership: Operating between September 2024 and April 2025, the SECAP initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and establish climate-resilient environmental policies for Çankaya.

• METU Academic Consultancy: At the official SECAP External Stakeholder Workshop held at Zübeyde Hanım Social Facility, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Meltem Şenol Balaban and Dr. Çağrı Hasan Kahraman from the METU Faculty of Architecture, Department of City and Regional Planning, served as core speakers and technical advisors alongside municipal directors and civil society representatives.

• Policy Evaluation: METU academic experts evaluated preliminary findings on climate change adaptation, resilience, physical/social/economic risk assessments, and mitigation solutions to guide local municipal decision-making.

https://www.cankaya.bel.tr/uploads/documents/secap_turkce_2025_1752135034_oiFXQosw.pdf