The aim of this research was to determine the energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of pomegranate cultivation. This research was conducted during the 2019–2020 production period in Ortaca district of Muğla province, Turkey. The agricultural inputs and outputs used in pomegranate cultivation were computed to determine the energy balance and GHG. According to research findings, the energy inputs in pomegranate cultivation were computed respectively as 10,224 MJ ha−1 (49.22%) chemical fertilizers energy, 3081.60 MJ ha−1 (14.84%) electrical energy, 3074.53 MJ ha−1 (14.80%) diesel fuel energy, 1939.14 MJ ha−1 (9.34%) irrigation water energy, 1033.72 MJ ha−1 (4.98%) human labour energy, 853.11 MJ ha−1 (4.11%) chemicals energy and 564.41 MJ ha−1 (2.72%) machinery energy. Total input energy was computed as 20,770.51 MJ ha−1. Output energy (pomegranate fruit) was computed as 56,430 MJ ha−1. Energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy productivity and net energy values were computed respectively as 2.72, 0.70 MJ kg−1, 1.43 kg MJ−1 and 35,659.49 MJ ha−1. The consumed total energy inputs in pomegranate cultivation can be classified as 43.95% direct, 56.05% indirect, 14.31% renewable and 85.69% non-renewable. Total GHG emission was computed as 2446.46 kgCO2‑eqha−1 for pomegranate cultivation with the greatest share for nitrogen (23.54%). GHG ratio value was computed as 0.08 kgCO2‑eqkg−1 in pomegranate cultivation. According to the findings of this current research, pomegranate cultivation is a profitable production in terms of energy use efficiency (2.72) for the 2019–2020 production period.