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 Turkiye  Joined GMI in 2010 

Introduction

Türkiye joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) in 2010 and provides support as a member of the Steering Committee and the Biogas, Coal Mines, and Oil & Gas Subcommittees.

The Turkish government has committed to a range of environmental mitigation measures to address climate change, including policies to reduce methane emissions. Specifically, Türkiye is targeting methane by investing in renewable energy sources, improving sustainable agricultural practices, promoting the use of biogas from organic waste, and increasing the efficiency of waste treatment. In addition to its national climate strategy, Türkiye has committed to international climate agreements that highlight methane reduction goals and greenhouse gas mitigation measures.

Türkiye is active on the Steering Committee and the Biogas, Coal Mines, and Oil & Gas Subcommittees.

Finland is currently active on the Steering Committee and the Biogas Subcommittee.


Methane Emissions Summary

Methane emissions in Türkiye increased by 52% between 1990 and 2021. Methane is the country’s second most significant greenhouse gas, after CO2. Enteric fermentation from agriculture and solid waste disposal from the waste sector are the most significant sources of Türkiye’s methane emissions.

Türkiye’s Methane Emissions (kt) by Sector, 1990-2021


Türkiye’s Methane Emissions (kt) by Sector, 1990-2021

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkish Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2021 Under the UNFCCC, accessed October 2024

The recovery of methane from waste disposal sites and wastewater treatment plants increased significantly from 2002 onwards. The number of landfill sites with methane recovery increased from 1 in 2002 to 84 in 2022 and the amount of methane recovered in these facilities rose to 303 kt from 2.2 kt. Likewise, the number of wastewater biogas facilities with methane recovery increased from 2 to 25 between 2002 to 2020, bringing a rise in methane recovery from 8.5 kt to 30.9 kt.

Recovered Methane from Solid Waste Treatment Facilities, 2002-2020


Recovered Methane from Solid Waste Treatment Facilities, 2002-2020

Recovered Methane from Wastewater Treatment Facilities, 2002-2020


Recovered Methane from Wastewater Treatment Facilities, 2002-2020

Source: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Eighth National Communication of Türkiye Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Methane Commitments and Plans

National

Türkiye has in place a national action plan, regulations, and strategies.

International

Türkiye engages with international efforts to address methane challenges.

Methane Actions

The following highlights actions taken in Türkiye to address methane, organized by GMI sector.

Biogas Sector

  • Biomethanization and composting facilities are being rapidly established in Türkiye, allowing organic waste to be utilized as products for energy and agriculture. Renewable energy generation in Türkiye is supported by the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism (YEKDEM in Turkish). Both landfill facilities that capture landfill gas and biomethanization facilities that produce biogas are eligible for guaranteed tariffs set for the first 10 years. The number of these facilities, supported by YEKDEM, is rapidly increasing. According to YEKDEM data from 2023, the annual production capacity registered under licenses at 99 energy production facilities (landfill gas + biomethanization) across 60 provinces totals 5,293,425 MWh. These facilities have reached an installed capacity of 501 MW and have contributed to greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy production through methane utilization.

Coal Mines Sector

Cross-Sector

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following websites to learn more about the ministries that address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

GMI Delegates

Committee/SubcommitteeDelegate NameAffiliation
Biogas SubcommitteeOsman A. ArikanIstanbul Technical University (ITU)
Biogas SubcommitteeErkan KarisliASKİ Genel Müdürlüğü
Biogas SubcommitteeMetin TuranYeditepe University
Coal SubcommitteeMetin AktanEge Trade AŞ
Coal SubcommitteeAbdullah ÇiftçiTurkish Coal Enterprises
Coal SubcommitteeAbdullah FisneIstanbul Technical University (ITU)
Coal SubcommitteeHatice ÖncüTurkish Coal Enterprises
Oil & Gas SubcommitteeEmre ÖzgürTurkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
Steering CommitteeBarış BilgenTurkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
Steering CommitteeAbdullah ÇiftçiTurkish Coal Enterprises
Steering CommitteeTugba DincbasMinistry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change
Steering CommitteeMelih Firat AyazMinistry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change


Global Methane Initiative (GMI)
Leading methane action since 2004