In this study, exergetic efficiency of Turkish cement production and CO2 emissions caused by the sector due to exergetic losses and environmental effects are examined, considering the clinker production between 1999 and 2007. As a first step, exergy analyses based on dead state temperature and production data of clinker are carried out according to the second law of thermodynamics. Consequently, CO2 emissions of the clinker production according to exergy losses, improvement and anergy potentials are determined. Exergy efficiency of the kiln and exergetic improvement potential are found as 43.04% and 123.29 x 10(6) GJ/h respectively on average. In this system, CO2 emissions caused by exergetic losses are calculated as 75.18 x 10(6) kg/h, 25.06 x 10(6) kg/h and 81.45 x 10(6) kg/h respectively on average for the coal mixture, natural gas and fuel-oil. At the end of the study, the present technique is suggested as a useful tool to improve energy policies and provide energy conservation measures, especially in this type of industrial processes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.