The climate crisis has now become one of the world’s most important problems, not only with drought, extreme heat and natural disasters, but also with its severe consequences on human health. The 2026 Healthy National Contribution Declaration Report Card published by the Global Climate and Health Alliance revealed the gap between countries’ climate policies and public health protection targets. In the research examining the climate commitments of 132 countries prepared within the scope of the Paris Agreement, Türkiye ranked 47th with 14 points out of 32.
83.6 OUT OF EVERY 100 THOUSAND PEOPLE
In the evaluation of Türkiye, health problems caused by air pollution came to the fore. The report showed that the death rate due to air pollution in Türkiye was 83.6 per 100 thousand people. Researchers warned that if the plans prepared in the field of health are not supported by strong emission reduction policies, health risks may become even more severe in the coming years.
9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE BREATHE DIRTY AIR
The picture revealed by the international research also overlaps with the air quality data in Türkiye. According to the Black Report 2025 study of the Right to Clean Air Platform, more than 92 percent of Türkiye’s population is exposed to air pollution above the limits recommended by the World Health Organization. In other words, at least 9 out of every 10 people living in the country breathe unhealthy air. The report points out that fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which can reach the depths of the lungs, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and premature death.
60 THOUSAND DEATHS COULD BE PREVENTED
The most striking finding for Türkiye is regarding preventable deaths. According to the analysis of the Black Report 2025, 62 thousand 644 premature deaths linked to air pollution were calculated in 2024. It is estimated that more than 60 thousand premature deaths could be prevented every year if the concentration of fine particulate matter in the air was reduced to the levels recommended by the World Health Organization.
THE HEAVIEST TABLE IS IN HAKKARI
Hakkari is one of the provinces where air pollution is felt most severely. In the Black Report 2025, Hakkari stood out as the province with the most negative picture in terms of fine particulate matter pollution and pollution-related death rates. This shows that air pollution is not limited to metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Fuels used for heating, transportation, industrial activities and geographical conditions are among the main factors that negatively affect air quality in different regions.
COLOMBIA IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD
In the research, the country that most comprehensively included health in its climate policies was Colombia, which received 29 points out of 32. Colombia was followed by Nigeria with 25 points and Cambodia with 24 points. Paraguay and East Timor ranked in the top five with 22 points each. It was noteworthy that 19 of the top 20 countries in the list consist of low and middle income countries. While Türkiye remained at 14 points, Canada received 16 points, South Africa received 13 points, and the European Union received 12 points. Japan and India were among the lowest-scoring countries with only 2 points each.
