GÖKHAN YÜKSEL

2025 SUMMARY

The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) aims to make our district resilient to and adaptable to climate change, increase energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Two objectives, eight targets, and 24 actions were identified, and detailed action cards were prepared for these actions. Our main objectives are: to increase energy efficiency, accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources, minimize the carbon footprint, and strengthen Kartal’s physical infrastructure and social fabric to enhance our adaptation capacity against the potential impacts of climate change.

The SECAP is not a static report but a dynamic roadmap that is continuously monitored, evaluated, and updated. Success will be measured by the implementation of the plan and the achievement of its targets.

To ensure the continuity of the process, on November 4, 2025: The first evaluation meeting was held with the SECAP working group, focusing primarily on disaster preparedness goals; the first progress report will be prepared using 2025 data.

Regarding Zero Waste and the Circular Economy: We have strengthened the legal and operational infrastructure to make Zero Waste Management more effective. On September 22, 2025, a three-year packaging waste collection contract was signed with a new licensed company. In 2025, under our council decision mandating a “dual waste collection system in new buildings,” site plans for the construction projects of 364 buildings were approved. An informational meeting was held with 18 out of 24 site management teams—each comprising over 300 independent units—with the participation of officials from the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Solid Waste Transfer Station established: Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 85%: From 41 vehicles traveling 2,952 km and consuming 1,328 liters of diesel, emitting 3,507 kg of CO₂, to 6 vehicles traveling 600 km and consuming 210 liters of diesel, emitting 554 kg of CO₂.

To enhance the green urban fabric; in collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we are establishing a green connectivity network between neighborhoods, thereby improving both our environmental resilience and the quality of our social life: In the park adjacent to Şehir Aydın Çelik Street in Uğur Mumcu Neighborhood, a 13,000 m² area has been developed to include children’s play areas, continuous walking paths, fitness stations, and picnic areas. In the area where Çamlık and Özgürlük Parks meet in Karlıktepe Neighborhood, 10,000 m² of the 15,625 m² site has been transformed into an uninterrupted green space, featuring a dog play area, a basketball court, and walking paths.

Resilient Infrastructure and Water Management are of critical importance. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) has separated 135 km of stormwater and wastewater channels. Our municipality maintained 16 km of lines, repairing 1,500 gratings and installing 106 new ones. A total of 1,214 buildings at risk of flooding were identified. Eleven buildings remaining in the riverbed were demolished by our administration. A People’s Park Project is in place for a 6-hectare area in the Old Quarries District facing severe erosion threats.

Under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (İRAP), 187 of our parks are being equipped to serve as shelter and assembly areas in the event of a disaster: 1 park has a solar-powered charging station, 6 parks have outdoor sanitation stations (toilets, showers, kitchens), 7 parks have social facilities (Planet Cafés), 1 park has 2 x 75-ton water tanks, and 52 parks have sewer connections.

To achieve our Clean Energy and Smart Transportation goals, as of January 1, 2025, a 10% renewable energy requirement has been mandated for new buildings of 2,000 m² or larger to promote the green transition; as part of our municipal building energy audits, our Women’s Life Center administrative building received an Energy Performance Certificate in 2025.

We have taken action on climate change and continue to raise awareness in the community about adapting to and building resilience against climate change through events such as Energy Efficiency Week, World Bicycle Day, European Waste Reduction Week, and Zero Waste Day. Projects and campaigns to promote eco-friendly urban living in collaboration with civil society organizations are ongoing: Through the “One Seed, a Thousand Breaths” and “Little/Young Hands Growing Seeds” projects, seed balls are being prepared to be released into burned forests, and hands-on agriculture classes continue in school gardens.

What Are Our Plans for 2026? A SECAP Commission Meeting will be held to assess the current situation. A transition to a dual collection system is planned for all municipal service buildings. Parks will transition to the use of climate-resilient plants. Plans include producing compost from organic market waste and establishing a Seed Production Facility. Preparations are underway to open the Waste Collection Center this year.

Biography

Kartal Mayor Gökhan Yüksel was born on June 18, 1987, in Kartal district of Istanbul. He completed his primary and secondary education at Kartal Ergenekon Primary and Secondary School and the private science high school section of Marmara Education Schools. He then graduated from Celal Bayar University, Department of Economics.

He completed his master’s degree at Marmara University on Capital Markets and Stock Exchange. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration at Aston University, working on his thesis on Economics and Budget in Local Governments.

Yüksel, who began his political career in the CHP Youth Branch, was elected as a Kartal Municipal Council Member from the CHP in the 2014 local elections. Gökhan Yüksel served as the Head of the Social Assistance Commission, a member of the Executive Board, and the Chairman of the Executive Board in Kartal Municipality. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the Deputy Mayor of Kartal Municipality for two years.

Having also served as a member of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, Yüksel has gained experience and expertise by successfully holding many high-level positions at a young age.

Gökhan Yüksel, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for Mayor of Kartal in the March 31, 2019 local elections, was elected with 51.17% of the vote.
During his term, Yüksel developed projects for the development and modernization of Kartal, implementing many services and completing numerous projects. He was nominated again by the CHP for Mayor of Kartal in the March 31, 2024 local elections and was re-elected with 54.77% of the vote.

Following the March 31, 2024 local elections, he was elected as a member of the Executive Board of the Marmara Municipalities Union. In this role, he conducts various studies on combating climate change, implementing sustainable energy policies, and carrying out environmentally friendly projects.

He aims to strengthen regional collaborations and produce innovative solutions, acting with the goal of protecting the environment in the Marmara Region and leaving a livable world for future generations.

Married with one child, Yüksel speaks English.