Unpacking normative power Europe: European Union’s promotion of climate change norms in Türkiye

This study aims to assess EU’s performance as a normative power in promoting climate change norms in a candidate state, Türkiye. Normative actors are expected to internalize the norms themselves first and then transfer these internalized norms to the external world through diffusion. To this end, initially climate change in EU’s domestic politics and foreign policy are analysed. Secondly, the study focuses on the determination and actions of the EU with respect to encouraging Türkiye’s commitment to climate change norms. Through analysing the relevant sections of European Commission’s annual reports on Türkiye since 2012, the study seeks to find out the extent of Türkiye’s harmonization of its climate-related legislation and policies with that of the EU acquis on climate action. It is argued that while noticeable limitations have remained regarding Türkiye’s progress in climate action, the EU has had an essential guiding impact on Türkiye’s climate action policies.