Climate change has had serious consequences in Azerbaijan since the start of the 21st century. The
climate of Azerbaijan was 1.3 degrees hotter by 2010.
The
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, described as the List of lakes by area, world's largest lake and usually referred to as a full-fledged sea. An endorheic basin, it lies between Europe and Asia: east of the Caucasus, ...
is shrinking.
Azerbaijan will host the
2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference
The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP29, was the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference. It was held at Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 ...
, known as COP29.
Description
Climate Trace
Climate TRACE (Tracking Real-Time Atmospheric Carbon Emissions) is an independent group which monitors and publishes greenhouse gas emissions. It launched in 2021 before COP26, and improves monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of both ...
estimates 2022
greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide (), from burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, oil, and natural gas, is the main cause of climate chan ...
will reach 91 million tonnes CO2eq, with over 40% of emissions from fossil fuel production.
The
petroleum industry in Azerbaijan
The petroleum industry in Azerbaijan produced about 33 million tonnes of oil and 35 billion cubic meters of gas in 2022. Azerbaijan is one of the birthplaces of the oil industry.
The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan ( SOCAR), a f ...
exports
fossil gas. Over 90% of exports from Azerbaijan are petroleum-based.
Azerbaijan has over 7 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves under the Caspian Sea. Energy consumption is estimated at about 16% of GHG, while transportation is estimated at about 10% of GHG.
The
climate of Azerbaijan has increased by 1.3 degrees, while
extreme weather events are increasing.
The water level of the Caspian Sea is falling.
are affected. Ecological problems on the coast are being worsened by climate change.
In the post-Soviet economic period, the Azerbaijani economy has become state-controlled and oil-based. Oil is the main contributor to the Azerbaijan economy; decreases in oil prices negatively affect the entire country.
Cotton
Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...
may be the most affected
agriculture in Azerbaijan, which is sensitive to climate change. In 2023, the Minister of Agriculture reported that the country is engaging in
climate-smart agriculture. Fishing is affected. Stranded assets are a long-term risk.
Azerbaijani health may suffer from the
extreme heat
A heat wave or heatwave, sometimes described as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather generally considered to be at least ''five consecutive days''. A heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual climate in the area and ...
and a longer malaria season.
Mitigation and adaptation
there is no
net zero
Global net-zero emissions is reached when greenhouse gas emissions and removals due to human activities are in balance. It is often called simply net zero. ''Emissions'' can refer to all greenhouse gases or only carbon dioxide (). Reaching net ze ...
target.
There are intermediate GHG reduction targets.
The country's second
Nationally Determined Contribution
The nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are commitments that countries make to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as part of climate change mitigation. These commitments include the necessary policies and measures for achieving the glob ...
includes a 40% reduction compared to 1990. It may be possible to produce low-carbon hydrogen.
A national
adaptation
In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the p ...
plan is hoped to be published in 2024. COP29 is being hosted in Baku in 2024, probably in November; it will be the third oil-producing country in a row to host the conference.
may be discussed. Some have criticised that the country was chosen to host COP29 and say that
environmental activists
The environmental movement (sometimes referred to as the ecology movement) is a social movement that aims to protect the natural world from harmful environmental practices in order to create sustainable living. In its recognition of humanity a ...
are repressed.
Media freedom in Azerbaijan is restricted, including around discussions of climate change.
There is a Youth Climate Envoys programme.
See also
*
Energy in Azerbaijan
Two-thirds of energy in Azerbaijan comes from Fossil-gas, fossil gas and almost a third from Petroleum, oil. Azerbaijan is Petroleum industry in Azerbaijan, a major producer of oil and gas, much of which is exported. Most electricity is generated ...
*
Environment of Azerbaijan
References
External links
Reports to the UNFCCCOther documents submitted to the UNFCCCClimate Laws- Laws, policies and litigation
{{Azerbaijan topics
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...
Climate of Azerbaijan