The “Long-term Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Azerbaijan” has been approved by Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov.
elchi reports, citing the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR), that the strategy envisages reducing climate impact while continuing the country’s economic development, and achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.
Net-zero emissions means reducing greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere as much as possible, and balancing the remaining emissions by absorbing them through forests and other natural and technological solutions.
The strategy envisages phased changes in the fields of energy, transport, industry, oil and gas, agriculture, buildings, and waste management to achieve this goal.
In practice, this includes measures such as expanding the use of solar and wind energy, saving energy in homes and businesses, developing cleaner transportation, reducing methane leaks in the oil and gas sector, sorting and recycling waste, and protecting and restoring forests. These changes can lead to a cleaner environment, as well as the creation of new jobs, the application of modern technologies, and the strengthening of the economy’s competitiveness.
The strategy establishes a link between the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2035 compared to the 1990s and the long-term vision for 2060. The development of “green energy zones” in Karabakh and East Zangezur, as well as in Nakhchivan, is also among the important directions of this transition.
The document, prepared with the participation of the MENR as the national coordinating body and the joint activities of relevant state institutions, is intended to be submitted to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The strategy will convey Azerbaijan’s contribution to global climate efforts within the framework of the Paris Agreement and its long-term development directions to the international community, as well as clearly and transparently present the country’s priorities to partners and investors.
The strategy continues the approach of translating the climate goals highlighted within the framework of COP29 into concrete actions at the national level. Agreements reached on climate finance in Baku and the ongoing international dialogue within the framework of climate diplomacy are important for improving access to finance and technologies for the implementation of the strategy, as well as for expanding partnership opportunities.
The document emphasizes that international financial support, access to and transfer of advanced technologies, concessional loans, grants, and private investments are of great importance to achieve the 2060 target.
The success of the transition will also depend on the training of specialists, the development of new skills, and the participation of society.
Public presentations are planned with the participation of scientific institutions and organizations, and civil society institutions to disclose the goals of the strategy to the public.