Determination of carbon dioxide emissions from fuel use in wheat, sugar beet, and potato production in Türkiye and future projection estimates

Due to the negative effects of natural disasters caused by climate change, the agricultural sector, ecosystems, and the economy are under serious threat. In this study, carbon dioxide emissions from fuel use in wheat, sugar beet, and potato production between 2015 and 2024 (10 years) were determined in Türkiye, and projections for 2025-2034 were examined. In calculating fuel-based CO2 emissions for wheat, sugar beet, and potato production, the total CO2 emissions from fuel and oil sources described in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were considered. The Chain Index method was used in programming the projection coefficients. For this effect, percentages of value increase and decrease over the years were calculated, and the average projection coefficients for these percentages were determined. The range of variations was found for total carbon dioxide emissions as a maximum of 1263.32 ktCO2, and a minimum of 1064.49 ktCO2 in wheat production, a maximum of 134.35 ktCO2, and a minimum of 101.29 ktCO2 in sugar beet production, and a maximum of 26.48 ktCO2, and a minimum of 18.39 ktCO2 in potato production. It is predicted that TCOE in wheat, sugar beet, and potato production will increase in Türkiye during 2025-2034. Accordingly, 13.31% increase in TCOE is predicted for wheat production, 13.31% in sugar beet production, and 13.39% in potato production. In this context, efforts can be made to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainable agricultural methods and to encourage their widespread adoption by farmers. Environmentally friendly alternative production techniques should be planned for soil cultivation systems, planting, fertilization, maintenance, irrigation, pesticide application, harvesting, and post-harvest processing in Türkiye, and farmers should be trained in these techniques.