Greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey

Coal, cars and lorries vent more than a third of Turkey's six hundred million tonnes^: iii of annual greenhouse gas emissions. They are mostly carbon dioxide and part of the cause of climate change in Turkey. A quarter of the emissions are from electricity generation.^{: section 4.2.1}

The energy sector, including transport, emitted 440 million tonnes in 2023. 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 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,^: 18 and the lack of a price on carbon pollution.^: 1 The 2022 National Energy Plan forecast that 1.7 GW more local coal power would be connected to the grid by 2030.^: 15 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%. Annual per person emissions are seven tonnes, which is slightly over the global average. Although greenhouse gas totals are reported some details, such as the split between cars and lorries, are not published.

The government supports reforestation, electric vehicle manufacturing and low-carbon electricity generation; and is aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2053. But the long-term plan omits coal phase-out, and its nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0) to the Paris Agreement on limiting climate change, which is due in 2025, has not yet been published. In 2024 environment minister Murat Kurum said that by Turkey’s net zero year of 2053 half of primary energy would be from renewables and 30% from nuclear, but did not explain how the remaining 20% could be decarbonized. Unless Turkey's climate and energy policies are changed the 2053 net zero target will be missed and exporters of high carbon products, such as cement and electricity, will have to pay carbon tariffs. 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. As of 2025 parliamentary discussion continues, but the bill only covers emissions trading, not any other aspects such as how to get to net zero.