Turkey's Landfills Spew 7.4 Tonnes of Methane Hourly
Satellite observations reveal massive emissions from Turkish landfills as COP31 gets underway in Antalya, with the country aiming to cut methane output
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Turkey aims to electrify 35% of global energy demand by 2035 with its '35 by 35' pledge.
Story published. Satellite observations reveal massive emissions from Turkish landfills as COP31 gets underway in Antalya, with the country aiming to cut methane output
As the COP31 climate summit kicks off in Antalya, Turkey, satellite observations have exposed a shocking reality: the country's landfills are among the world's largest emitters of methane. Turkey is the world's fifth-biggest emitter of methane from solid waste, with significant emissions detected at sites near major cities like Istanbul and Ankara.
The satellite data, analyzed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), identified 70 plumes from Turkey's 10 highest-emitting waste sites. The average detected rates of methane emissions from these sites ranged from 841kg to 7.4 tonnes an hour. One landfill west of Istanbul, near Seymen, had an average detected rate of about 7.4 tonnes an hour of methane emissions.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, over 80 times more potent than CO2 in its first 20 years in the air. The UCLA analysis used public Carbon Mapper data from the Tanager-1 satellite between January 2025 and end-May 2026. The findings highlight the need for urgent action to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
## Why it matters The discovery of massive methane emissions from Turkish landfills comes as the country hosts COP31, where methane reduction is a priority. Cutting methane emissions from landfills could have a significant impact on slowing global warming. Turkey's waste sector illustrates both the potential and the difficulty of achieving rapid cuts. With the country aiming to reduce methane output, addressing the largest landfills could be a crucial step towards meeting this goal.
The fact that gas capture is widespread at Turkey's larger municipal landfills, yet large releases still occur, indicates that collection systems alone are not enough to prevent methane emissions. Experts say that cutting landfill methane requires diverting organic material before it reaches landfills.
As COP31 continues in Antalya until November 20, the international community will be watching Turkey's efforts to reduce methane emissions from its landfills. With the potential for rapid cuts, the country's actions could have a significant impact on the global effort to combat climate change.
