Climate Alarm: Turkey Drops to 52nd as Global Leaders Go Missing

The latest edition of the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI 2026)—prepared by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN International—paints a stark picture of global climate efforts. Now in its 21st year, the report confirms that the world remains off track for the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target and that Turkey continues to underperform, ranking 52nd with “very low” scores in emissions and climate policy. This marks the tenth consecutive year that Turkey remains stuck in the “low performance” category.

Despite modest progress in global per capita emissions and accelerating renewable energy adoption, the overall pace of the transition remains far from sufficient. The report highlights where momentum is building—and where major players continue to stall.

No Country Earns a “Very High” Rating: Denmark Leads Again

As in previous years, the top three spots of the CCPI remain empty, reflecting that no country is implementing climate action at a pace compatible with 1.5°C. The first actual ranking begins at 4th place, occupied once again by Denmark, which tops the list thanks to strong climate policies and industry-defining offshore wind investments.

Close behind, the United Kingdom climbs to 5th place after eliminating coal from its energy mix. Morocco, ranked 6th, stands out for its low per capita emissions and ambitious investments in public transportation—earning it a “good” performance score.

Turkey at 52: Coal Incentives and Rising Emissions Weigh Heavily

Turkey’s 52nd-place ranking reflects persistent structural issues—especially emissions growth, energy intensity, and insufficient policy action. According to Özlem Katısöz of CAN Europe Turkey, the country’s low score is unsurprising:

“Türkiye’nin 2035’e kadar emisyon artışı öngören hedefleri ve kömüre teşvik planları, dönüşümün önünde büyük engel teşkil ediyor. Emisyonlar, enerji tüketimi ve özellikle iklim politikası alanındaki ‘çok düşük’ puanlar, Türkiye’nin yerinde saydığını gösteriyor.”

Even with its considerable renewable energy potential, Turkey receives only a “medium” rating in the renewables category, underscoring a gap between capacity and policy implementation.

G20 Performance: Alarming Trends Among Major Emitters

The report underscores a troubling reality: the G20, responsible for 75% of global emissions, is overwhelmingly underperforming. Only the United Kingdom appears in the “high” category.

Meanwhile, Turkey, China (54th), Australia, Japan, Canada, Russia, and the United States—all G20 members—fall into the “very low” tier. The United States’ plunge to third from the bottom is especially notable.

CCPI expert Thea Uhlich warns:

“ABD’nin güçlü bir düşüşle sondan üçüncü sıraya gerilemesi dikkat çekici. En büyük petrol ve gaz üreticisi ülkeler, fosil yakıtlara dayalı iş modellerini sürdürerek geleceğin ekonomisindeki fırsatları kaçırıyor.”

Petroleum-dependent economies also rank among the bottom, reflecting their continued attachment to fossil-fuel-based growth models.

Among G20 nations, India records one of the steepest declines, dropping to 23rd place due to rising emissions and the absence of a clear coal phase-out plan.

A Snapshot of Global Progress—and Persistent Roadblocks

The CCPI 2026 illustrates a world in motion, but not rapidly enough. While renewable deployment is growing and some countries demonstrate leadership in specific areas, structural dependence on fossil fuels—particularly among large economies—continues to weigh heavily on global targets.

For Turkey, the findings reinforce long-standing concerns: emissions continue to rise, coal incentives remain intact, and policy ambition lags behind international expectations. Without a decisive shift away from fossil fuel dependence, Turkey risks falling even further behind in the global transition.