Impacts of Coal – Türkiye’de Kömür

Climate Change

Coal is the most carbon intensive fossil fuel and phasing it out is a key step to achieving the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. The carbon-intensive energy trajectory of Turkey contradicts with the climate actions supporting the uptake of renewable technologies. Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement, albeit late, and the net zero emissions target for 2053 has been pronounced, but the actions supporting these two steps and a clear roadmap for decarbonization of the economy have not yet been determined.

According to Turkey’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) from September 30, 2015, if current policies remain in force, the total amount of emissions will increase to 1.175 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) by 2030. If we fulfill the commitment we made by ratifying the Paris Agreement, this figure will remain below 929 million tonnes. In other words, Turkey will double the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from 2013. Turkey is required to update its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) every five years as a requirement of the Paris Agreement. The new declaration is expected to be submitted to the United Nations Secretariat in 2022. The reduction or limitation target that Turkey will set in the new declaration is expected to be consistent with the pronounced “net zero emissions” target.

Turkey’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 523.9 million tons of CO2e in 2020. Energy-related emissions constitute the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions with 70 percent, followed by agriculture with 14 percent, industrial processes and product use with 12.7 percent and the waste sector with 3.1 percent.

Turkey’s strategy to focus on coal in energy generation may be the main reason for the low and insufficient emission reduction target set during the process of signing the Paris Agreement.

Health

Global cost of air pollution from fossil fuels reached to US$8 billion per day, or roughly 3.3% of the world’s GDP. Air pollution has a number of adverse effects on human health: vulnerability towards respiratory tract infections, aggravation in allergic respiratory system diseases and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, irritation of the eyes, respiratory system cancers, increases in the prevalence of respiratory and circulatory system diseases and mortality rates. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has included outdoor air pollution as one of the leading causes of cancer in humans.

Coal power plants are an important contributor to air pollution in Turkey and one of today’s most important public health threats. Exposure to outdoor air pollution is linked to a number of health impacts including higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. In Turkey, the total estimated cost of the impact that is attributed to fossil fuel related air pollution is between 14,000 (low estimate) to 30,000 million USD (high estimate). These costs reflect the prices for the Turkish economy, and are mainly associated with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, which are two important groups of leading chronic diseases in Turkey. This health bill is paid by individuals, national health care budgets, and by the economy at large due to productivity losses. The total premature deaths ranges are estimated between 28,000 (low estimate) to 58,000 (high estimate).

Emissions from coal-fired power plants in Turkey contribute significantly to the burden of disease from environmental pollution. In Turkey, the total estimated cost of the impact that is attributed to fossil fuel related air pollution is between 14,000 (low estimate) to 30,000 million USD (high estimate). The total premature deaths ranges are estimated between 28,000 (low estimate) to 58,000 (high estimate).

Livelihoods

Coal-fired power plants are among the most polluting industries for livelihoods. The hazardous waste discharged into the environment from coal-fired power plants is comprised of suspended particles, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), dioxins, hydrochloric acid, ash, radioactive materials, and heavy metals.

Coal has negative impacts on the natural environment during every stage of its use: from its extraction and transportation, to its preparation (through crushing, sieving and washing) and burning, all the way through to the disposal of the waste produced in each of these stages. It destroys forests, valleys and mountains, while contaminating or depleting ground- and surface-water resources.

The CO2 gas released when coal is burned causes climate change, and the SO2 gas causes acid rain. Its waste pollutes the surrounding waters, and the majority of underground mercury is released into nature in this way.