Carbon emissions and management in Turkiye aviation sector

While the aviation sector in Turkey makes significant contributions to economic growth and national development, it also poses substantial environmental challenges in terms of carbon emissions. The increase in air traffic in recent years, along with the commissioning of new airports, has led to a notable rise in sectoral greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, the effective monitoring and management of aviation-related carbon emissions have become increasingly important in line with Turkey's commitments to international environmental policies and climate change mitigation targets. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), constitutes a global market-based mechanism designed to monitor, report, and verify carbon emissions from international aviation. The program provides a common framework for limiting and offsetting emissions, thereby promoting the adoption of sustainable aviation practices. Turkey has voluntarily joined the CORSIA scheme, committing to reduce and offset emissions from international flights and thereby demonstrating its willingness to align with global climate policy objectives. Nevertheless, ICAO faces several structural and technical challenges in estimating annual emissions from the aviation sector. The accuracy of these estimations largely depends on the timeliness, reliability, and completeness of flight-related data. Variables such as aircraft type, payload capacity, flight distance, and operational conditions significantly complicate emission calculations. Accordingly, for Turkey to develop accurate and consistent national emission inventories, it is essential to strengthen its infrastructure and institutional capacity for systematically collecting, analyzing, and verifying aviation data. Within the scope of this research, existing emission data from Turkey's aviation sector have been thoroughly analyzed, and relevant national and international policies and regulations have been examined in detail. Particular emphasis has been placed on assessing the core principles, objectives, and operational mechanisms of the CORSIA scheme to determine how it can offer a strategic roadmap for reducing aviation-related emissions. Furthermore, the study identifies Turkey's obligations under CORSIA and outlines the necessary institutional and technical steps required for compliance. The findings indicate that significant progress can be achieved in reducing carbon emissions in Turkey's aviation sector. Effective implementation of CORSIA would contribute both to achieving national climate goals and ensuring alignment with international environmental standards. This study evaluates carbon emission management in Turkey's aviation sector within the framework of environmental sustainability, through a comparative analysis of ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the Tier-based emission calculation methodologies recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The research not only examines the integration of CORSIA into the sector, but also assesses the accuracy, data requirements, and applicability of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 approaches. In this regard, the study aims to provide a methodological framework for aviation stakeholders concerning emission estimation, reduction, and effective management. By offering concrete policy recommendations for emission reduction strategies, the research contributes to Turkey's alignment with international aviation policies and aims to strengthen its position in the global context. In addition to informing the development of policies for environmental sustainability, the study also offers a methodological contribution to academic literature and serves as a practical decision-support guide for policymakers and practitioners.