Renewable energy and CO₂ emission reductions: A comparative analysis of Germany, France, and Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 229 - 239, 30.09.2025

Mine Sertsöz , Mehmet Fidan

https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1642026

Abstract

The global transition toward renewable energy is recognized as a critical strategy for mitigating climate change by reducing CO₂ emissions. This study examines the relationship between renewable energy adoption and carbon emissions in Germany, France, and Türkiye, utilizing Pearson correlation and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression on data from 2008 to 2015. Unlike many studies on single-country contexts, this research adopts a comparative approach to assess how national energy profiles and policy frameworks influence emission outcomes. Findings indicate that France, supported by a balanced nuclear-renewable mix, achieves the most consistent emission reductions. Germany exhibits a moderate negative correlation between renewables and emissions but maintains high absolute emission levels. Türkiye, meanwhile, reveals weak or even positive correlations between renewables and emissions, reflecting challenges in integrating low-carbon solutions. These insights highlight the significance of context-specific strategies in designing effective energy transition policies and contribute to the broader discourse on aligning national actions with global climate targets.

Keywords

Climate change mitigation , CO2 emission , Correlation analysis , Policy support , Renewable energy

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