Our University carried out a variety of educational programmes, seminars, panels, and awareness-raising activities throughout 2025 focusing on climate change risks and impacts, climate adaptation, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts, sustainable management of natural resources, disaster risk reduction, the development of early warning capacity, and the enhancement of public awareness. These activities were not limited to University students and staff, but were also designed to involve the local community, public institutions, primary and secondary school students, technical experts, and other stakeholders. Through its academic units, application and research centres, and communication channels, the University aims to share scientific knowledge with society on climate action, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.
One of the major activities organised in this context in 2025 was the “Water and Forest Management in the Process of Climate Change” Panel, held on 16–17 October 2025. The panel addressed the impacts of climate change on water resources, forest ecosystems, and natural resource management; adaptation to changing climatic conditions; flood and drought risks; and sustainable management approaches. In addition to academics, representatives of public institutions and relevant stakeholders participated in the event, contributing to greater awareness of the local and regional impacts of climate change.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/orman/etkinlik/iklim-degisikligi-surecinde-su-ve-orman-yonetimi-paneli-H
Our University also organised a series of training seminars entitled “Integrated Approaches to Environmental Sustainability: Water, Waste, and Climate Change Resilience” on 3–5 December 2025. The programme addressed water management, waste management, environmental sustainability, and climate change resilience through an integrated approach. Climate adaptation, risk assessment, and the appraisal of different adaptation options formed a direct part of the educational content.
On 4 December 2025, a programme entitled “Adaptation Strategies of Tree Species in the Process of Climate Change” was presented to the public through the University’s Radio/TV Unit. The programme discussed the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems, the adaptation mechanisms of tree species to changing climatic conditions, climate-related risks such as drought and forest fires, and the importance of considering climate projections in future afforestation activities. Broadcasting the programme through Radio/TV also enabled it to reach members of the local community beyond the University.
Our University also carries out activities aimed at encouraging individual and societal behavioural change in response to climate change. On 10 December 2025, within the framework of the Grand Black Sea Forum, an event entitled “Sustainable Living to Reduce Carbon and Water Footprints in Combating the Effects of Climate Change” was organised. The event addressed ways to reduce carbon and water footprints, sustainable lifestyle practices, and the contribution individuals can make to reducing the impacts of climate change.
As part of its efforts to support climate adaptation and the development of resilient cities, the University also organised public information and awareness activities. Programmes such as “Resilient Cities” and “The Role of Forests in Preventing Floods, Inundation and Landslides” addressed climate- and disaster-related risks, urban resilience, and the role of natural systems in disaster risk reduction.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/radyotv/tvprogramlar
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sbp/etkinlik/dekanimiz-sayin-prof-dr-cenap-sancar-direncli-kentler-konulu-program-ile-radyo-ktude
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/ormanmuhendisligi/etkinlik/sel-taskin-ve-heyelanlarin-onlenmesinde-ormanlarin-rolu-b
The University’s Landslide Application and Research Center conducts educational activities aimed at improving the local community’s knowledge of and preparedness for natural disasters. In 2025, disaster awareness training programmes were delivered in schools in Trabzon, with the aim of increasing students’ awareness of natural hazards, risk reduction, and disaster preparedness. The Disaster Awareness Training held at Osman AltıntaÅŸ Secondary School represents a concrete example of a direct educational activity aimed at the local community.
The 2025 activity documents published by the University’s Landslide Application and Research Center also include disaster awareness training and local education activities.
Evidence: https://ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/huam_kvM0q.pdf
Our University also maintains institutional cooperation with the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) in the areas of natural hazards, education, and disaster risk reduction. The protocol implemented in 2025 aims to strengthen disaster risk reduction, scientific and technical studies, and training activities.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/yonetim/ulusalprotokoller
Training activities have also been provided to strengthen the technical capacity of local public institutions. In this context, technical staff of the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of AFAD received training on “Computer Applications in Slope Stability Analysis”, with the aim of strengthening technical capacity for the assessment of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction.
Taken together, these activities demonstrate that our University not only conducts academic research on climate change, but also provides educational and awareness-raising activities for the local community and public institutions in the areas of understanding climate change risks and impacts, climate adaptation, reducing carbon and water footprints, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, public awareness, and the development of early warning capacity. In conclusion, in 2025 our University provided local education programmes and awareness activities on climate change risks and impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies, sustainable living, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and the development of early warning capacity, while carrying out these activities in cooperation with the local community, educational institutions, public institutions, and other stakeholders.
