Turkey posts fastest emissions growth among major polluters ahead of COP31

According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Turkey recorded a 4.2% rise in greenhouse-gas emissions in 2025, the steepest among 16 major emitters that each account for over 1% of global output. Total emissions were estimated at 610.8 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent, roughly 1.1% of the world total, and per-capita emissions climbed to 7.1 tons, surpassing the global average of 6.6 tons. The largest sectoral increase occurred in buildings (8%), followed by power (5%) and transport (around 4%).

While worldwide emissions grew 0.7% to a record 54.1 billion tons, six of the 16 major emitters actually reduced their output. Turkey’s reliance on coal—33.6% of electricity generation—has drawn criticism, especially after a court halted a planned 688-MW expansion at the Afşin-Elbistan A plant. The data arrive as Turkey readies for the COP31 climate conference in Antalya from November 9-20, amid calls for stronger coal-phase-out timelines and more ambitious emission targets.