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Fossil fuel-driven air pollution causes about 26,500 premature deaths a year in Turkey and is responsible for 52% of the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution recorded in the country, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and the Right to Clean Air Platform (THHP).

The report, presented at a press conference, estimates the annual economic cost of fossil fuel-linked PM2.5 pollution at around $55 billion, equal to 4.1% of Turkey's 2024 gross domestic product.

Health burden and economic costs

The report, titled "The Heavy Cost of Fossil Fuels to Turkey: Health Burden and Economic Cost," links fossil fuel-related air pollution to deaths from heart and circulatory diseases, respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, stroke and diabetes. The pollution is also credited with roughly 8.5 million lost working days a year.

The economic toll of PM2.5 pollution from fossil fuels is put at about $55 billion annually, which the report says corresponds to 4.1% of Turkey's 2024 gross domestic product. Separate health effects cited in the study include about 8,000 premature births and 8,200 babies born with low birth weight each year, along with 5,100 new childhood asthma cases and 6,500 emergency room visits attributed to asthma.

Reliance on imported fossil fuels

The report draws attention to how Turkey's dependence on fossil fuel imports leaves the country exposed to swings in international prices. It found that the energy import bill rose 33.8% in August 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Turkey's energy mix

According to the report, coal supplied 35% of Turkey's electricity generation in 2024, while natural gas accounted for 19%. In road transport, diesel provided 66% of the energy consumed, LPG 17% and petrol 16%. Fossil fuels made up about 60% of final energy consumption in industry.

Calls for an exit roadmap

THHP Coordinator Deniz Gümüşel, speaking at the press conference, called for a roadmap to be drawn up for moving away from fossil fuels.

Dr. Ümit Şahin, Climate Change Studies Coordinator at Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center, said COP31 is regarded as one of the most important climate summits because of geopolitical crises. "Taking on the presidency and hosting of the summit places a responsibility on Turkey to give direction on climate and to advance its own climate policies as well," Şahin said, adding that raising the share of renewable energy and cutting fossil fuel use is a prerequisite for reaching the goal of lifting electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035.

Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Çağlayan, a member of THHP's Executive Board and a public health specialist, said air pollution affects the health of groups ranging from fetuses in the womb to children. "The harmful effects on health are seen even in the womb and in babies," Çağlayan said.

Key takeaways

• Fossil fuels are responsible for 52% of PM2.5 air pollution in Turkey and about 26,500 premature deaths a year, a CREA and THHP report says.
• The economic cost of that pollution is estimated at $55 billion annually, or 4.1% of Turkey's 2024 GDP.
• Coal supplied 35% of Turkey's electricity in 2024 and natural gas 19%, while diesel accounted for 66% of road transport energy.
• Speakers at the press conference called for a fossil fuel exit roadmap and a greater share of renewable energy.