Turkey will host Cop31, the next UN global climate summit, in November, with methane emissions cuts positioned as a central priority on the nation’s agenda. However, satellite surveillance has revealed that Turkey contains some of the world’s most significant landfill methane super-emitters, according to researchers at the University of California.
The Silivri municipal waste dump near Istanbul represents the most severe case identified in Turkey. The site emits approximately 7.4 tonnes of methane per hour—equivalent in climate impact to 1.5 million sport utility vehicles operating simultaneously. A second major facility, the Şile landfill on Istanbul’s opposite side, releases around 4 tonnes hourly, comparable to roughly 800,000 vehicles. UCLA researchers identified 10 major landfill sites across Turkey with exceptionally high emission rates, described as “mind-bogglingly large” even by global standards. The sites span from İzmir in the west through Ankara to Antalya in the south.
Local residents near Silivri have endured the effects for years, reporting overwhelming odors multiple nights weekly that force them to keep windows closed despite summer heat. However, community members have faced barriers to registering complaints, with some expressing reluctance to publicly criticize authorities. Staff from the waste management division acknowledged the emissions upon being shown satellite imagery but framed the situation as an improvement compared to Istanbul’s waste crisis in the 1990s. The facility currently captures 6,000 cubic meters of methane hourly for energy generation.
The timing presents a contradiction for Turkey’s leadership. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan identified waste management as a priority in June, and First Lady Emine Erdoğan has campaigned internationally for zero-waste and methane reduction initiatives. Methane accounts for approximately one-quarter of global heating, with emissions having surged significantly since 2007, researchers note.
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