BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22. The Prime
Minister of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, approved the “Long-term
low-carbon development strategy of Azerbaijan”, envisaging net-zero
emissions by 2060, on October 22, 2026.
This was announced by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural
Resources.
According to the ministry, the strategy aims to reduce the
country’s climate impact while sustaining its economic development,
with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Net-zero emissions entails minimizing the release of greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere as much as possible, while balancing any
remaining emissions through absorption, achieved via forests as
well as other natural and technological solutions.
To reach this objective, the strategy outlines phased changes
across several sectors: energy, transport, industry, oil and gas,
agriculture, buildings, and waste management.
In practical terms, this includes measures such as expanding the
use of solar and wind energy, improving energy efficiency in homes
and businesses, developing cleaner transport, reducing methane
leaks in the oil and gas sector, sorting and recycling waste, and
protecting and restoring forests. In addition to a cleaner
environment, these changes could facilitate the creation of new
jobs, the adoption 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% by 2035 (compared to 1990 levels)
and a long-term vision for 2060. The development of “green energy
zones” in Karabakh and East Zangezur, as well as in Nakhchivan,
also represents a key aspect of this transition.
The document, prepared through the involvement of the Ministry
of Ecology and Natural Resources as the national focal point, in
coordination with relevant state institutions, is set to be
submitted to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
Beyond communicating Azerbaijan’s contribution to global climate
efforts under the Paris Agreement and its long-term development
trajectory to the international community, the strategy will also
present the country’s priorities to partners and investors more
clearly and transparently. The strategy continues, at the national
level, the approach of translating the climate goals highlighted
within the framework of COP29 into concrete action. The agreements
reached in Baku regarding climate finance, along with the ongoing
international dialogue within the scope of climate diplomacy, are
significant for the implementation of the strategy, specifically in
terms of improving access to finance and technology, as well as
expanding partnership opportunities.
The document emphasizes that international financial support,
access to and the transfer of advanced technologies, concessional
loans, grants, and private investments are crucial for achieving
the 2060 target.
The success of this transition will also depend on the training
of specialists, the development of new skills, and the
participation of society.
Public presentations, involving scientific institutions,
organizations, and civil society entities, are planned to be
organized to communicate the strategy’s objectives.
