DMM Refutes Claims of Turkey's Decline in Climate Index

The Center for Combatting Disinformation (DMM) has officially refuted recent reports circulating in some media outlets and social media platforms claiming that "Turkey has declined in the climate index." The DMM stated that these allegations are intended to manipulate public opinion and are driven by malicious intent. The statement clarified that the evaluations in question are not based on any official United Nations (UN) report or data, but rather on a narrow study conducted by two Germany-based organizations using their own subjective criteria.

The DMM emphasized that the climate policy scores in the index are based on the limited opinions of a small group of experts rather than concrete, transparent data. This approach fails to represent the entirety of Turkey's climate policy and the reality on the ground. The center highlighted that such attempts to misrepresent Turkey's progress are designed to overshadow the significant strides the country has made in its green energy transition over the past few years.

Background of the Development

Over the past two decades, Turkey has initiated a strategic transformation process to ensure energy supply security and reduce carbon emissions. This process gained momentum with the country's accession to the Paris Agreement and the establishment of a 2053 net-zero emission target. This transformation in the energy sector was designed not only as an environmental policy but also as an economic necessity to reduce foreign energy dependency.

Looking at the historical context, Turkey's energy portfolio has evolved from being dominated by coal and fossil fuels to one led by renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This transition has been supported by incentive mechanisms and domestic technology production carried out through public-private partnerships. Indices published by Germany-based organizations often reflect a Eurocentric perspective, frequently overlooking Turkey's unique geographical and economic realities.

As highlighted by the DMM, the "climate policy score" in the index relies on an opaque methodology. In contrast, Turkey's energy data is shared regularly with the public by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. This data proves that Turkey is not just a regional player but a significant actor in the global energy transition.

Expert and Industry Insights

Energy market experts state that the growth rate of Turkey's renewable energy capacity is well above the global average. Industry representatives emphasize that the momentum in solar energy investments since 2022 is the most significant step Turkey has taken toward energy independence. Key points from expert assessments include:

• The share of renewable sources in total installed capacity reaching 62.9% is a critical threshold for energy supply security.
• The fact that 88.1% of the net capacity increase in the last year came directly from renewable energy demonstrates strong investor appetite.
• The production of 61.5% of electricity from renewable sources in the first half of 2026 proves Turkey's increasing "green production" capacity.
• The rise of solar energy installed capacity to 28 GW indicates a rapid modernization of technological infrastructure.
• Contrary to subjective indices, Turkey's transparent energy data serves as a more reliable reference point for international investors.

Industry representatives emphasize that such manipulative reports aim to complicate Turkey's access to financial instruments like "Green Bonds" and "Carbon Markets," but concrete data continues to debunk these perception operations.

Economic and Social Implications

Turkey's investments in renewable energy provide more than just environmental benefits; they play a key role in reducing the current account deficit. By lowering the energy import bill, these investments directly support domestic production and employment. In particular, the domestic production of equipment such as solar panels and wind turbines is strengthening Turkey's industrial capacity.

At the social level, the "green jobs" created by the transition to clean energy are opening new career paths for the younger generation. Public awareness on this issue is growing, leading to increased demand for energy efficiency and renewable energy usage. The DMM's statement is of critical importance in ensuring the public is correctly informed and that Turkey's success story is not obscured.

Future Projections and Outlook

Turkey will continue to increase its renewable energy investments in line with its 2053 net-zero emission targets. In the coming period, grid stability is expected to be further strengthened with the commissioning of storage-integrated solar and wind energy projects. The roadmap announced by the Ministry of Energy shows that Turkey will continue to play a key role in Europe's energy supply security.

Although risks such as global supply chain fluctuations and financing costs exist, Turkey's robust infrastructure and decisive policies minimize these challenges. In the coming years, the goal is for Turkey to become a hub that not only meets its own needs but also exports green hydrogen and clean energy. These goals, beyond subjective indices, will continue to define Turkey's true success story.