Research conducted by UCLA scientists using satellite data has identified significant methane emissions from waste disposal sites throughout Turkey, with the Silivri municipal landfill near Istanbul identified as the country’s largest contributor. The facility emits approximately 7.4 tonnes of methane per hour, equivalent to the climate impact of 1.5 million sport utility vehicles operating simultaneously. A second major site in Şile, also in the Istanbul area, releases roughly 4 tonnes per hour. Researchers characterized these emission rates as “mind-bogglingly large” even by global standards, placing them among the highest individual methane sources worldwide.
The revelation presents a notable timing issue for Turkey, which will host Cop31, the next major United Nations climate conference, later this year. The nation has prioritized methane reduction as a central component of its proposed agenda for international climate action. Turkey’s leadership, including First Lady Emine Erdoğan, has been active in advocating globally for zero-waste initiatives and emissions reductions. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan identified waste management as a key priority in remarks delivered in June.
Local residents in villages surrounding the Silivri landfill have endured odor problems for years, with methane and other gases creating conditions severe enough to force residents to keep windows closed during warm nights. Residents have attempted to address concerns through petitions and online complaints, though many have expressed reluctance to pursue official complaints due to concerns about potential consequences. Officials from İstaç, the waste management division of Istanbul’s metropolitan municipality, acknowledged the emissions and noted ongoing efforts to cover exposed waste areas and capture methane for energy generation. The facility currently extracts approximately 6,000 cubic metres of methane hourly for use as fuel. Management attributed visible improvements compared to conditions from previous decades, when unmanaged waste and methane explosions caused significant public health problems.
The UCLA analysis examined the 10 highest-emitting landfill sites across Turkey using data from the Carbon Mapper satellite portal, identifying numerous facilities with substantial emission rates distributed from İzmir in the west to Antalya in the south. Scientists have emphasized that global methane emissions account for approximately one-quarter of all climate warming, with atmospheric concentrations having increased significantly since 2007, raising concerns about potential irreversible climate impacts.
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