Analysis of Climate Policies Through ‘X’ Posts of Mayoral Candidates in the 2024 Türkiye Local Elections

Authors : Esra Demirci, Özge Cengiz

Pages : 76-99

Doi:10.32739/etkilesim.2025.8.15.284

View : 36 | Download : 34

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Climate change, with impacts ranging from species extinction to extreme weather, migration, and food scarcity, demands urgent action due to its biological, ecological, and societal effects. Institutions, particularly municipalities, play a crucial role in addressing this challenge. Countries like Turkey, vulnerable to climate change effects due to geography and current policies, require feasible and sustainable solutions. This study examines the climate policies of mayoral candidates from major Turkish cities —Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir, and Konya— through their posts on the social media platform X during the March 2024 election campaign. The goal is to assess candidates’ climate awareness and the extent to which they communicate these policies publicly. A content analysis of 6,048 posts reveals that while candidates highlighted urban planning, disaster management, waste management, and stray animals in their environmental posts, climate policies received minimal attention. This situation indicates that policies to combat climate change are not being prioritized as a key issue at the local government level in Turkey.
Keywords : belediye, iklim politikası, 2024 yerel seçimleri, X platformu, sosyal medya