Turkey's New Climate Target: Emissions Will Continue to Increase

According to a news report published by T24 on November 27, 2025;

Turkey’s Second National Contribution Statement submitted to the United Nations (NDC 3.0) indicates that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions are expected to keep rising until 2035. T24 notes that while the new climate goal outlines a range of strategies and actions, the document suffers from several significant shortcomings. The fossil fuel phase-out plan is still unclear, there are no concrete interim targets for reaching the 2053 net-zero target, and serious concerns remain about how the proposed measures will be implemented. Compared to recent assessments by the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Energy Agency, Turkey's approach appears to mask the ongoing rise in emissions rather than presenting an ambitious reduction path.

The document sets a target of reducing emissions to 643 million tons of CO₂ by 2035. This equates to a reduction of almost 466 million tons, or almost 41%, compared to current levels. Despite this numerical reduction, the trajectory reflects a continued increase in emissions over the next decade.

The report also highlights that the most significant shortcomings in Turkey's climate policy lie in the energy sector. There is no clear roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels, no commitment to phase out coal, and no detailed investment program to increase renewable energy capacity. These missing elements raise questions about how the transition will unfold.

Another point of criticism concerns stakeholder participation. Although the National Contribution Statement claims that consultations were held and civil society was engaged in the process, T24 notes that critical civil society groups were not meaningfully included and that the level of involvement largely remained limited to being informed rather than genuinely participating.

In conclusion, the article concludes that the document, lacking concrete interim goals or a clear timeline for meeting Turkey’s 2053 net-zero aim, amounts to a “deferred necessity” rather than a decisive climate roadmap.

News Link

Ediboğlu, E. (2025, 21 Kasım). Türkiye’nin yeni iklim hedefi: Emisyonlar artmaya devam edecek. T24 – İklim Masası. https://t24.com.tr/yazarlar/iklim-masasi/turkiye-nin-yeni-iklim-hedefi-emisyonlar-artmaya-devam-edecek,52476