In Türkiye, the shift toward a greener future isn’t reaching everyone in the same way. For many low-income families, particularly in rural areas or urban neighborhoods with limited services, renewable energy remains too expensive to consider. While solar panels, better heating systems, and electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common in wealthier parts of cities, others are still relying on wood, coal, or diesel just to get by.

Approximately 5 to 7 percent of the population is believed to live in energy poverty. That means they live in homes that don’t have heat, pay high electricity bills, and often have no reliable or affordable transportation. Waste collection can also be unreliable, especially in areas where local services are overstretched. In parts of southeastern and eastern Türkiye, for instance, some towns struggle to manage waste properly, which creates health and hygiene problems.

The country has ambitious goals for renewable energy—it aims to generate nearly half of its electricity from renewables by 2025. However, most of the money is being invested in large-scale projects, such as solar farms and wind power, which primarily benefit cities and large industries. For regular households, especially those with low incomes or without formal housing documents, it’s challenging to benefit. A study[1] pointed out that the biggest issues are a lack of financing, paperwork problems, and insufficient support designed for households. Even though there is a national program (YEKDEM) that supports renewable energy, it’s designed for large investors, not everyday people trying to install a few panels on their roof.

Transport is another big gap. Türkiye’s long-term climate plan (2023–2053) includes goals for increasing the number of electric cars, improving public transportation, and enhancing cleaner freight systems. High-speed trains and metro lines are getting investments, but most of those are in cities. In smaller towns and villages, people are still using old minibuses or diesel cars, mostly because there is no reliable or affordable public transportation available.

There are some promising steps. In May 2024, Türkiye signed a $1 billion agreement with the World Bank to support small-scale solar and battery systems, with a portion of the funds allocated for underserved communities. The UNDP is also supporting its Zero Waste project, which helps cities enhance recycling and waste collection through local engagement. However, many local governments lack sufficient funds or personnel to deliver these climate-friendly services to the neighborhoods that need them most.

Fixing these gaps is essential for a fair and sustainable future. The national plans are ambitious, but in reality, people still face significant challenges. They face poor air quality from burning solid fuels, can’t always heat their homes in winter, and struggle to get to school or work due to inadequate transportation. These problems especially affect women, children, and older people in remote areas.

Türkiye aims for a just transition; therefore, it needs to focus not only on reducing emissions but also on ensuring that everyone, including the most vulnerable, has the opportunity to benefit from cleaner energy, improved transportation, and proper waste management services.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Türkiye Country Manager İpek Taşgın.

[1] SHURA Energy Transition Center