Integrated Analysis of Green and Digital Transformation and Occupational Safety and Health Policies in the Turkish Iron and Steel Industry within the Framework of the Turkish Climate Law and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Environmental and trade policies developed to combat climate change are reshaping production systems, international competitiveness, and sustainability practices across industrial sectors. The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), together with the enactment of Türkiye's Climate Law, has introduced a new regulatory environment that requires carbon-intensive industries not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to transform their technological, managerial, and organisational structures. Consequently, the green and digital transformation of industrial production has become closely associated with the development of effective occupational safety and health (OSH) policies capable of addressing emerging technological and operational risks. This study aims to provide an integrated assessment of the green and digital transformation process in the Turkish iron and steel industry within the framework of Türkiye's Climate Law and the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism by examining the interaction between industrial policies and occupational safety and health policies. A qualitative research design based on document analysis was adopted. National and international academic publications, European Union policy documents, relevant legislation, and institutional reports were systematically reviewed. In addition, the current transformation capacity of the Turkish iron and steel industry was evaluated through a SWOT analysis. The findings indicate that the Climate Law and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism are expected to accelerate energy efficiency improvements, carbon management practices, digitalisation, and the adoption of low-carbon production technologies within the Turkish iron and steel industry. However, this transformation also requires the restructuring of occupational safety and health policies due to the increasing use of alternative energy systems, digital manufacturing technologies, automation, and data-driven production processes. Preparing employees for emerging occupational risks, developing digitally supported risk management systems, strengthening organisational safety culture, and promoting continuous professional training are identified as essential components of sustainable industrial transformation. The study concludes that the successful implementation of green and digital transformation depends not only on environmental and economic performance but also on the effective integration of occupational safety and health policies into industrial transformation strategies. Accordingly, the study contributes to the literature by presenting a comprehensive analytical framework that evaluates the implications of Türkiye's Climate Law and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for the Turkish iron and steel industry from environmental, technological, managerial, and occupational safety and health perspectives.