Turkey: Greenhouse gas emissions on the rise, figures reveal

Figures released by Turkey's state-run statistical agency, TurkStat, show greenhouse gas emissions rose by 20 million tons over the past years to 459.1 million tons in 2013.

The energy sector had the largest share of CO2 emissions with 67.8 percent for 2013, the latest year of statistics. Turkey has limited energy resources except for coal and is largely dependent on other countries for its oil and natural gas needs. The country seeks to diversify and boost its energy production, especially through nuclear and wind power.

The TurkStat study found that overall emissions increased 110.4 percent between 1990 and 2013, from over 3 tons per capita to 6.04 tons.

After the energy sector, industrial processes and product use dominate the areas with highest CO2 emissions at 17.6 percent.

Turkey, which has been one of the biggest polluters in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, is gradually cleaning up its act by focusing on renewable energy and turning its back on coal power. Renewable energy plants are more integrated with country's electricity sources.

Last month, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız announced that Turkey would add 4,000 megawatts to its electricity production capacity this year, 95 percent of which would be provided through local and renewable resources.

Increasing energy consumption in the country of 77 million people makes Turkey one of the highest in the world in terms of energy demand growth. A growing economy is another major drive in the growing demand as industries make up almost half of the total energy consumption. Currently, the country relies on hydroelectricity, especially in rural areas, and is still heavily dependent on energy imports for domestic demand.

Parliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol against climate change in 2009. Under the protocol the country has responsibility to organize gas emission inventory and computation of emission reduction. The government encourages investors to take up renewable energy projects and provides incentives, especially for energy-efficient products.