Energy and sustainable development. Part II: Environmental impacts of energy use

Abstract

As a consequence of the fast-growing energy requirements and the increasing use of low-grade domestic fuels, air pollution has increased considerably in recent years in Turkey. Since the energy demand is projected to continue to increase rapidly in the future also, energy-supply strategies are required to control air-pollutant emissions in a cost-efficient way, taking into account the legal emission-control regulations that have been enforced. This article extensively concentrates on energy and environmental impacts in Turkey only. Energy utilization and its major environmental impacts are discussed from the standpoint of sustainable development, including anticipated patterns of future energy use and subsequent environmental issues. Several aspects relating to energy utilization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, environment, and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives in the country. In this study, air-pollutant emissions due to power generation and their harmful effects on the environment are also estimated.