Turkey’s Decarbonization Roadmap Targets 35% Emissions Cut by 2035

Strategic Investments Key to Turkey’s 2035 Climate Goals

Turkey aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2035, according to a recent study by the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) at Sabancı University. The report, titled Turkey’s Decarbonization Roadmap, lays out a comprehensive strategy requiring $265 billion in investments across energy, industry, and infrastructure sectors. The goal is to align with Turkey’s long-term vision of net-zero emissions by 2053.

Key to this transformation is a sectoral shift away from coal and toward renewables and energy storage. The roadmap proposes adding 10 GW of solar and wind power annually and deploying 9 GW of battery storage by 2035. In parallel, Turkey plans a complete coal phase-out by 2036, significantly lowering emissions in the power generation sector.

However, the roadmap also emphasizes the industrial sector, especially ferrous metallurgy and aluminum production, as critical to reaching targets. These industries must undergo technological transformation to cut process-related emissions. According to the IPC, these sectors—alongside cement, fertilizers, and chemicals—account for a major share of Turkey’s industrial emissions footprint.

Ferrous Metallurgy and Aluminum Sectors at the Core of Emission Reductions

The ferrous metallurgy and aluminum sectors will drive industrial decarbonization through innovation and process upgrades. The IPC identifies these industries as having strong decarbonization potential, thanks to scalable technologies and growing international pressure, especially from Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Turkey’s new climate law, passed in July, marks a turning point. It establishes the country’s first national emissions trading system (ETS) and formalizes the push toward emissions accountability. The move aligns Turkey with global carbon pricing trends and lays the groundwork for a carbon market that will impact key sectors, including steel and aluminum.

Meanwhile, the cement industry remains the hardest to decarbonize, given the inherent emissions in its production process. The roadmap urges urgent innovation in carbon capture and alternative materials to address this challenge. Without breakthroughs in cement, Turkey’s broader climate targets may face delays.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Turkey’s decarbonization efforts are gaining momentum, but execution will be everything. With heavy investments planned and regulatory frameworks taking shape, sectors like steel and aluminum stand to benefit from early action. As global carbon pricing mechanisms tighten, Turkish producers must accelerate green technology adoption or risk losing competitiveness. For international partners and material suppliers, this shift also opens up opportunities in low-carbon equipment, green hydrogen, and battery storage solutions. The next decade will be critical in shaping Turkey’s role in the clean industrial economy.