Türkiye’s national green certification
From design to operation, we run the YeS-TR process together with our engineering and architecture team. Tell us about your project and our accredited Green Certificate Experts (YESU) will prepare a tailored proposal.
Green certification is an assessment that documents that a building or settlement has been designed and is operated to reduce its environmental impact, use energy and resources efficiently and protect human health.
The assessment does not stop at construction; it covers the environmental performance of the building over its life cycle.
YeS-TR (Green Certificate Türkiye) is Türkiye’s own national green certification system. It is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change; applications are assessed and certificates issued by the Türkiye Environment Agency (TÜÇA).
Its rules are set out in the Regulation on Green Certification for Buildings and Settlements, with separate criteria for new and existing buildings and for settlements.
Certification is easiest while a project is still being designed. We combine Tetratürk’s engineering experience in infrastructure, water and building projects with SEEDARC’s architectural practice: we make the design decisions for the target grade together with your team and prepare the evidence. Our accredited Green Certificate Experts (YESU) file your application in the YeS-TR system themselves and manage it through to the certificate.
Why green certification
Green certification makes buildings that reduce environmental impact, improve comfort and save money visible.
Buildings and settlements with a smaller footprint, more comfort and lower costs; a more liveable environment for future generations.
Aligned with Türkiye’s Zero Waste approach: less waste, separation at source and more recycling.
A strong set of criteria for buildings that use energy efficiently and turn to renewable sources.
Settlements that cut water use, recover their waste and offer green space and social facilities.
Certified buildings and settlements stand out among their peers and gain brand value.
Smart buildings, circular economy and climate-friendly practices for resilient places to live.
Criteria
Buildings and settlements are each assessed under six main themes. The criteria and requirements under each theme are defined in the official assessment guides.
An integrated process with all stakeholders from the start, so the building is designed, built and run to its target performance.
Choosing materials by their environmental impact from production to recycling.
Passive and active measures for visual, acoustic and thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
Efficient use of energy, with architecture and building services designed to regulations and performance criteria.
A detailed waste plan with recorded separate collection and licensed disposal, and reuse of materials from renovation.
Innovative practices and user training that raise quality of life and environmental performance.
Site size, legal and planning requirements, project planning, financing and stakeholder participation.
Protecting ecological value, energy-efficient land and infrastructure decisions, disaster management built into planning.
Pedestrian-first transport and road safety for a liveable city.
Flexible public spaces true to local identity, supporting healthy and active living.
Protecting natural and cultural assets, social inclusion, economic well-being and efficient use of resources.
Participatory service management and data-driven, conscious use of water and energy.
Process
The application is made on the owner’s behalf by an accredited Green Certificate Expert (YESU), through the YeS-TR system and with the Türkiye Environment Agency.
We review your project and identify the achievable grade and the work required.
The owner signs a contract with an accredited Green Certificate Expert; our experts can take on this role.
The YESU uploads the contract and project details to YeS-TR. The registration fee is paid to TÜÇA and the application is approved once complete.
Evidence for the design and construction decisions that meet the criteria is prepared and uploaded by the YESU.
TÜÇA’s Green Certificate Assessment Experts (YESDU) review the evidence; a draft certificate is shared with the YESU.
If the criteria are met the certificate is approved. After the certification fee is paid, TÜÇA signs and sends it and records it in the YeS-TR database.
Grades
The assessment results in one of four grades.
Buildings that meet the basic sustainability criteria.
Buildings with a good level of environmental performance.
High-performance buildings with advanced sustainability.
Buildings reaching the highest national level of environmental performance.
Our experts
YeS-TR projects are led by our accredited Green Certificate Experts (YESU) at Tetratürk and SEEDARC; we file your application in the YeS-TR system ourselves.
Green Certificate Expert (YESU)
Green Certificate Expert (YESU)
Comparison
It serves the same purpose as the international systems, but is written for conditions and regulations in Türkiye. We can help you decide which certificate suits your project.
| YeS-TR | LEED | BREEAM | EDGE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change · TÜÇA | U.S. Green Building Council (USA) | BRE (United Kingdom) | IFC (World Bank Group) |
| Best suited to | Public projects and domestic requirements | International investors and tenants | European market | Fast, low-cost certification |
| Scope | Buildings and settlements | Buildings and neighbourhoods | Buildings and communities | Energy, water and materials |
Frequently asked questions
New and existing buildings, and settlements. Residential, office, retail, education, healthcare and public buildings are all covered; there is also a dedicated guide for public buildings.
The building or settlement owner signs a contract with an accredited Green Certificate Expert (YESU). The YESU files the application in the YeS-TR system, the registration fee is paid to TÜÇA and evidence for the decisions that meet the criteria is uploaded. TÜÇA’s assessment experts (YESDU) review it; if the criteria are met, the certificate is issued once the certification fee is paid.
The process is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change. Applications are assessed by the Green Certificate Assessment Experts (YESDU) of the Türkiye Environment Agency, which signs and issues the certificate.
The owner signs a contract with an accredited Green Certificate Expert (YESU). The YESU applies through the YeS-TR system, uploads the evidence and manages the process to the certificate. Registered experts can be checked in the Ministry’s YeS-TR system (yestr.csb.gov.tr).
A registration fee and a certification fee are paid to TÜÇA, calculated by project type (building or settlement) and area. Current amounts are on TÜÇA’s fee calculator. Our consultancy fee is separate and set out in our proposal.
As early as possible, at the start of design. Decisions made early keep the extra cost to a minimum; changes after construction starts are more expensive.
YeS-TR suits public projects and domestic requirements; LEED or BREEAM may be preferred for international investors or tenants. Some projects target more than one certificate.
Share a few details and our experts will review your project and get back to you shortly.