Turkey's Climate Situation

The following is from the Youth For Climate Turkey report:

Turkey's climate policy mentality is that our country, which initiated its industrialization move in the 20th century, has no historical responsibility for the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and will do its part within the framework of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" to be developed in parallel with each country's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

The largest share of Turkey's total ecological footprint belongs to its carbon footprint, with 46% between 1961 and 2007, which was the largest increase in the carbon footprint. Our country's greenhouse gas emissions increased by 115% in 2010 (totaling 401.9 million tons) compared to 1990, and Turkey became one of the world leaders in the rate of greenhouse gas emission increase. During the same period, per capita greenhouse gas emissions increased from 3.39 tons to 5.52 tons.

As of 2010, 70% of Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions came from the energy sector. Our country's energy and consequent urbanism, transportation and industrial policies are an indication of the ‘steps’ we have taken to combat global climate change. Turkey's climate policy is far from responding to the urgent situation of the climate crisis.

Since the 1990s, Turkey has not chosen to pursue effective policies to combat global climate change. Turkey, which became a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2004, signed the Kyoto Protocol in 2009. However, along with not setting any targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we did not assume any responsibility during Kyoto's Second Liability Period, which began in January 2013.

In 2023, our country's primary energy and electricity demand is projected to double from 2011 figures, while fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), nuclear energy and hydropower have been identified as the main means to meet this demand. The Ministry of Energy's projections predict that in 2020, import and domestic coal use will increase by 200% and oil use will increase by more than 100% compared to 2010.

More Information

Is Turkey particularly vulnerable to effects of climate change?

The short answer is yes. The country is already facing a warming trend in temperatures and a decreasing trend in precipitation. This is having a negative effect on water availability for food production and rural development. This has helped cause frequent earthquakes, floods and land degradation. Also, this contributes to a weaker economy. Flooding and landslides as a proportion of GDP have historically been among the highest in Turkey compared to other countries in Europe and CIS. In addition, seawater intrusion (in most coastal aquifers) is happening in Mediterranean coastal zones. Landslides and floods have accounted for 25% and 10% of Turkey’s natural disasters over the last 25 years and it is projected that nearly 20% of the surface water in some basins will be lost by 2030.

Turkey and its environmental behavior

The Bad

Unfortunately, the Turkey government has not yet initiated a green recovery but rather it is trying to become a gas trading hub. Their priorities are still employment and reviving export and production.

Over 90 percent of Turkey’s waste goes to landfill, a far greater percentage than the OECD average.

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources commenced construction on a 1.3 GW Hunutlu thermal power plant despite the risk of earthquakes.

2018 saw Turkey breaking its record in domestic coal production, which reached 101.5 million tonnes. Globally, only China is planning to increase its coal-capacity by a higher amount than Turkey.

In 2019 the Ministry promoted domestic lignite which produces high levels of CO2 and stands at odds with Turkey’s need to reduce coal use to 0 by 2030.

A refusal to transition to renewable energy is also reflected by the fact that there was a slowdown in wind power installations (7.4 GW at the end of 2019).

The import of liquified natural gas reached a record high in 2019

Turkey still has no national recycling programme.

The Good

In 2016 the government introduced the Renewable Energy Resource Areas strategy to initiate the production of renewable energy on ‘Renewable Energy Designated Areas. The first auction in March 2017 was awarded to a consortium planning to construct a solar PV plant in Konya and in August 2017, a 1 GW wind onshore was awarded.

The Ugly (predictions + the future)

Turkey’s emissions are expected to overachieve its “Critically Insufficient” proposed Paris Agreement target (INDC).This means that if most other countries followed Turkey’s approach, global warming would exceed 3–4 °C.

In the 11th development plan, Turkey’s primary energy demand is expected to increase by 18% above 2018 levels by 2023, and it targets an increase of electricity production from domestic sources (including coal) of 46% above 2018 levels by 2023.

Turkey has announced that three new nuclear power plants will come into operation between 2023 and 2030 despite the European Parliament voting to call on the Turkish government to stop construction of the Akkuyu plant in 2019.

Resources to check out!

Public perception of climate change in Turkey

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