Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey

Coal, cars and lorries vent more than a third of Turkey's six hundred million tonnes^[2] of annual greenhouse gas emissions, which are mostly carbon dioxide and part of the cause of climate change in Turkey. The nation's coal-fired power stations emit the most carbon dioxide, and other significant sources are road vehicles running on petrol or diesel. After coal^[3] and oil the third most polluting fuel is fossil gas; which is burnt in Turkey's gas-fired power stations, homes and workplaces. Much methane is belched by livestock; cows alone produce half of the greenhouse gas from agriculture in Turkey.

Economists say that major reasons for Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions are subsidies for coal-fired power stations,^[4]: 18 and the lack of a price on carbon pollution.^[5]: 1 The 2022 National Energy Plan forecast that 1.7 GW more local coal power would be connected to the grid by 2030.^[6]: 15 Even without a carbon price renewable electricity in Turkey is cheaper than electricity generated by coal and gas,^[7] so the Chamber of Engineers says that without subsidies coal-fired power stations would be gradually shutdown. The Right to Clean Air Platform argues that there should be a legal limit on fine airborne dust, much of which comes from car and lorry exhaust. Low-emission zones in cities would both reduce local air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

Turkey's share of current global greenhouse gas emissions is 1.3%.^[8] Annual per person emissions since the late-2010s have varied around six and a half tonnes,^[9] which is about the global average.^[10] Although greenhouse gas totals are reported some details, such as the split between cars and lorries, are not published. Turkey has not yet sent a long-term strategy to the UNFCCC.^[11]

The government supports reforestation, electric vehicle manufacturing and low-carbon electricity generation; and is aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2053. But it has no plan for coal phase out, and its nationally determined contribution to the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change is not to reduce emissions but instead an increase of over 30% by 2030.^[12] Unless Turkey's climate and energy policies are changed the 2053 net zero target will be missed^[13] and exporters of high carbon products, such as cement and electricity, will have to pay carbon tariffs.^[14] In 2023 there was misinformation about a draft climate law which aims to keep the tariff money within the country by starting carbon emission trading.^[15]