Assessing the Cement-CO2 Link in Türkiye: A RALS Cointegration Framework

Abstract

This study explores the long-term connection between cement production and CO₂ emissions in Türkiye, one of the world’s largest cement producers. The purpose is to evaluate the sector’s contribution to national emissions while highlighting decarbonization strategies consistent with global net-zero targets. Using annual data for the period 1970–2023, the analysis employs the Fourier ADF unit root test, which accounts for multiple structural breaks and nonlinearities, as well as the RALS-ADL and RALS-EG2 cointegration tests, which address deviations from the normality assumption. The findings confirm a stable long-run cointegration relationship between cement output and CO₂ emissions, with an estimated elasticity of 0.45—indicating that a 1% increase in production results in a 0.45% rise in emissions. This suggests partial efficiency gains but underscores the need for structural reforms. The results highlight the importance of expanding alternative fuels, lowering clinker intensity, and improving energy efficiency, supported by stronger regulatory and policy frameworks, if Türkiye’s cement sector is to align with international decarbonization pathways.

Keywords

• Cement Production
• CO₂ Emissions
• Fourier ADF
• RALS Cointegration
• Decarbonization

Ethical Statement

During the preparation of the study titled “Assessing the Cement-CO2 Link in Türkiye: A RALS Cointegration Framework”, scientific principles, ethical standards, and citation rules were strictly followed; no falsification was made on the collected data, and this study has not been submitted to any other academic publication venue for evaluation. Ethics committee approval is not required for this research. Statement of Authors’ Contribution Rate: The authors contributed equally to the study. Conflict of Interest Statement: There is no potential conflict of interest in this study. Funding: No financial support was received from any institution or organization for this study. Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Related Tools: No artificial intelligence or related tools were used in the preparation of this article. Data Sharing Statement: We declare that the data of this study may be shared upon reasonable request for the purpose of verifying the findings, in accordance with the conditions specified in the relevant section of the “ethical principles and publication policy.”

Türkiye'de Çimento Üretimi-CO₂ İlişkisinin Değerlendirilmesi: RALS Eşbütünleşme Analizi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, dünyanın en büyük çimento üreticilerinden biri olan Türkiye'de çimento üretimi ile CO₂ emisyonları arasındaki uzun vadeli ilişkiyi araştırmaktadır. Amaç, küresel net sıfır hedefleri ile uyumlu karbonsuzlaştırma stratejilerini vurgulayarak sektörün ulusal emisyonlara katkısını değerlendirmektir. 1970-2023 dönemine ait yıllık veriler kullanılarak yapılan analizde, çoklu yapısal kırılmaları ve doğrusal olmama durumunu dikkate alan Fourier ADF birim kök testi ile normallik varsayımından sapmaları dikkate alan RALS-ADL ve RALS-EG2 eşbütünleşme testleri uygulanmıştır. Bulgular, çimento üretimi ile CO₂ emisyonları arasında istikrarlı bir uzun dönemli ilişkiyi doğrulamaktadır ve uzun dönem esneklik katsayısı 0,45 olarak tahmin edilmiştir. Bu da çimento üretiminde %1'lik bir artışın emisyonlarda %0,45'lik bir artışa yol açtığını göstermektedir. Bu durum kısmi verimlilik kazanımlarına işaret etmekle birlikte yapısal reformlara olan ihtiyacın altını çizmektedir. Sonuçlar, Türkiye çimento sektörünün uluslararası karbonsuzlaştırma hedeflerine uyum sağlaması için daha güçlü düzenleyici ve politika çerçeveleriyle desteklenen alternatif yakıtların yaygınlaştırılmasının, klinker yoğunluğunun düşürülmesinin ve enerji verimliliğinin artırılmasının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Çimento Üretimi
• CO₂ Emisyonları
• Fourier ADF
• RALS Eşbütünleşme
• Karbonsuzlaştırma

Ethical Statement

“Türkiye'de Çimento Üretimi-CO₂ İlişkisinin Değerlendirilmesi: RALS Eşbütünleşme Analizi” başlıklı çalışmanın yazım sürecinde bilimsel kurallara, etik ve alıntı kurallarına uyulmuş; toplanan veriler üzerinde herhangi bir tahrifat yapılmamış ve bu çalışma herhangi başka bir akademik yayın ortamına değerlendirme için gönderilmemiştir. Bu araştırmada etik kurul kararı zorunluluğu bulunmamaktadır. Araştırmacıların Katkı Oranı Beyanı: Yazarların çalışmadaki katkı oranları eşittir. Çatışma Beyanı: Çalışmada herhangi bir potansiyel çıkar çatışması söz konusu değildir. Finansman: Bu çalışma için herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluştan destek alınmamıştır. Yapay Zeka ve Türleri Kullanım Beyanı: Bu makalenin yazımında yapay zeka ve türleri kullanılmamıştır. Veri Paylaşım Beyanı: Bu çalışmanın verileri, bulguların doğrulanması amacıyla makul bir talep üzerine “etik ilkeler ve yayın politikası”nın ilgili kısımında belirtilen şartlara göre paylaşabileceğimizi beyan ederiz.

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