Turkey hosts COP31 while satellite data reveals massive landfill methane emissions

A study by UCLA scientists employing Carbon Mapper satellite observations pinpointed Turkey’s ten most polluting landfills, with Silivri on Istanbul’s outskirts releasing an average of 7.4 metric tons of methane each hour between January 2025 and June 2026, and Şile emitting roughly 4 tons per hour. The findings come as Environment Minister Murat Kurum, president-designate of the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, urges global participants to prioritize methane cuts and better waste handling.

Despite the push, Turkey has not signed the Global Methane Pledge. Local officials attribute the leaks to exposed waste awaiting a clay cover, and the site’s methane-capture system still allows escape. Residents of nearby villages describe chronic odors that force them to keep windows shut. Emine Erdoğan, chair of the UN Advisory Board on Zero Waste, promotes waste reduction, while UCLA’s Cara Horowitz stresses diverting food waste and fixing major leaks to lower emissions.