As sustainability becomes an essential pillar of Türkiye’s national environmental strategy, the concept of YeS-TR (National Green Certificate System) is gaining rapid attention among building owners, developers, and investors. Understanding “What is YeS-TR (National Green Certificate System)?” is now crucial for companies aiming to align with Türkiye’s climate goals while ensuring compliance, competitiveness, and long-term asset value. Many stakeholders are also wondering how YeS-TR compares to global building certification systems such as LEED and BREEAM.
This article provides a comprehensive exploration of YeS-TR—its purpose, assessment criteria, scoring methodology, and certification path—while highlighting key differences from the internationally recognized frameworks.
Understanding YeS-TR: Türkiye’s National Green Certificate System
Introduced by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change, YeS-TR is Türkiye’s official green building certification system, developed to evaluate buildings based on national sustainability priorities. It aims to:
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Reduce environmental impact across the building lifecycle
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Promote energy and water-efficient design
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Encourage low-carbon construction materials
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Enhance resilience and occupant well-being
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Strengthen alignment with national climate policies
YeS-TR evaluates buildings through locally relevant criteria and integrates regional climatic, environmental, and regulatory factors—an area where global systems often require adaptation.
For organizations operating in Türkiye, YeS-TR offers a cost-effective, accessible, and locally tailored alternative to international rating systems. At ERKE Sustainability Consultancy, our teams guide investors and developers through compliance, documentation, and certification pathways to ensure smooth project delivery. For more information, you may explore our LEED Consulting Services on our website:
👉 https://erkeconsultancy.com/leed-consulting
YeS-TR Assessment Categories
Similar to global green building rating systems, YeS-TR uses a multi-category approach. Although the Ministry is continually refining the framework, the primary categories currently include:
1. Energy Efficiency
A core focus of YeS-TR is reducing operational energy consumption. Performance benchmarks are aligned with Türkiye’s national energy codes. Additional points are awarded for:
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High-performance HVAC systems
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Renewable energy integration
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Advanced building automation and energy monitoring
2. Water Management
YeS-TR encourages:
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Low-flow fixtures
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Rainwater harvesting
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Greywater reuse
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Efficient landscape irrigation practices
3. Material Selection & Waste Management
The system emphasizes the use of:
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Locally sourced materials
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Low-carbon and recycled-content products
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Documented construction waste reduction plans
This category directly supports Türkiye’s circular economy strategy.
4. Indoor Environmental Quality
Projects are evaluated based on:
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Air quality and natural ventilation
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Daylighting performance
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Thermal comfort
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Acoustic well-being
5. Environmental Impact & Site Sustainability
YeS-TR also includes criteria for:
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Ecological protection
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Low-emission transportation options
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Resilient site design
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Climate adaptation strategies
How YeS-TR Differs from LEED
While YeS-TR and LEED both assess sustainability performance, they were developed under different regulatory and environmental contexts.
1. Geographic Relevance
LEED is a global rating system, requiring regional adjustment for compliance.
YeS-TR is developed specifically for Türkiye, making it inherently aligned with:
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Local building codes
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Regional climate zones
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National material availability
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Domestic regulatory frameworks
This results in more appropriate and cost-efficient compliance for Turkish projects.
2. Certification Cost
LEED certification can involve higher fees due to international registration, review, and technical requirements.
YeS-TR offers a more affordable certification path, making it accessible for small and mid-scale projects.
3. Documentation Requirements
LEED demands extensive third-party verification and internationally standardized documentation.
YeS-TR uses documentation practices familiar to Turkish engineering, architectural, and contracting firms, which reduces administrative workload.
4. Market Strategy
LEED is often required by multinational investors and global brands as proof of internationally recognized sustainability performance.
YeS-TR serves as Türkiye’s official national standard, ideal for government-led developments, housing projects, and locally funded initiatives.
For an in-depth comparison of LEED criteria, you may review the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) resources:
🔗 https://www.usgbc.org/leed
How YeS-TR Differs from BREEAM
BREEAM, originating from the United Kingdom, is one of the oldest sustainability certification systems. The differences between YeS-TR and BREEAM include:
1. Assessment Philosophy
BREEAM uses a detailed, assessor-driven certification methodology with broad environmental performance criteria.
YeS-TR, by contrast, relies on national sustainability priorities and simpler documentation to encourage widespread adoption.
2. Adaptability
BREEAM has specialized schemes (New Construction, In-Use, Refurbishment, etc.).
YeS-TR currently has a more unified framework but continues to evolve as Türkiye’s sustainability policies expand.
3. Scoring and Weighting
BREEAM scoring reflects the environmental policy framework of European countries.
YeS-TR designs its scoring model according to Türkiye’s climate goals and economic realities.
To explore BREEAM standards, you may refer to the official BRE platform:
🔗 https://www.breeam.com
Certification Levels: YeS-TR vs LEED vs BREEAM
All three systems provide tiers of achievement:
| Certification System | Levels |
|---|---|
| YeS-TR | Base, Good, Very Good, National Excellent |
| LEED | Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| BREEAM | Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding |
While LEED and BREEAM offer long-established global recognition, YeS-TR reflects Türkiye’s national sustainability identity and policy direction.
Why YeS-TR Matters for Türkiye’s Green Transformation
Türkiye’s commitment to climate action, including the Paris Agreement and 2053 net-zero targets, requires widespread adoption of sustainable construction practices. YeS-TR supports this transformation by offering:
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A unified national sustainability benchmark
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Incentives for low-carbon buildings
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Enhanced environmental compliance
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An accessible pathway for small and mid-sized developments
As Türkiye transitions toward a decarbonized building sector, YeS-TR is expected to play a pivotal role.
To explore more about our sustainability engineering services, you may also visit:
https://erkeconsultancy.com/green-building-consultancy/
Conclusion
As the demand for greener, more efficient, and climate-resilient buildings grows, understanding What is YeS-TR (National Green Certificate System)? becomes essential for investors, developers, and architects working in Türkiye. While global systems like LEED and BREEAM offer robust, internationally recognized frameworks, YeS-TR provides a locally aligned, cost-effective certification option that supports national sustainability goals.
ERKE Sustainability Consultancy continues to assist organizations in choosing the right certification pathway—national or international—and navigating the full sustainability performance process from design to certification.
If your project aims to achieve green building certification in Türkiye, our team is ready to support you.
https://erkeconsultancy.com/contact-us/
