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.[1] The Caspian Sea is shrinking.[2] Azerbaijan will host the United Nationals Climate Change conference in 2024, known as COP29.[3]
Greenhouse gas emissions
Climate Trace estimates 2022 greenhouse gas emissions will reach 91 million tonnes CO2eq, with over 40% of emissions from fossil fuel production.[4]
Fossil fuel production
There is a petroleum industry in Azerbaijan and fossil gas is exported. Over 90% of exports from Azerbaijan are petroleum-based.[5] Azerbaijan has over 7 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves under the Caspian Sea.[6]
Energy consumption
This is estimated at about 16% of GHG.[4]
Transportation
This is estimated at about 10% of GHG.[4]
Deforestation
A 2014 study says that overgrazing was a problem.[7]
Impacts on the natural environment
Temperature and weather changes
The climate of Azerbaijan is 1.3 degrees hotter.[1] Extreme weather events are increasing.[8]
Sea level change
The water level of the Caspian Sea is falling.[2]
Water resources
Ecosystems
There are many ecoregions in Azerbaijan. There are camps to teach schoolchilden about biodiversity.[9] Forests in the Caucasus are affected.[10] Ecological problems on the coast are being made worse by climate change.[11]
Biodiversity
State reserves of Azerbaijan are meant to protect the wildlife of Azerbaijan. The 2019 report to the Convention on Biological Diversity said that further research is needed.[12]
Impacts on people
Economic impacts
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. [5]
Cotton may be the most affected agriculture in Azerbaijan, which is sensitive to climate change.[13][14] In 2023 the Minister of Agriculture reported that the country is engaging in climate-smart agriculture.[15] Fishing is affected.[16] Stranded assets are a long-term risk.[17]
Health impacts
Health in Azerbaijan may suffer from the extreme heat and a longer malaria season.[18]
Mitigation
Mitigation approaches
Policies and legislation to achieve mitigation
There are intermediate GHG reduction targets.[1] The country's second Nationally Determined Contribution includes a 40% reduction compared to 1990.[19]
Adaptation
Adaptation approaches
A national adaptation plan is hoped to be published in 2024.[20]
Policies and legislation to achieve adaptation
International cooperation
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.[3][21] Cooperative Mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement may be discussed.[22]
Society and culture
Activism
There is a Youth Climate Envoys programme.[23]
Private sector efforts
It may be possible to produce low-carbon hydrogen.[24]
Controversies
Some have criticised that the country was chosen to host COP29 and say that environmental activists are repressed.[25]
Arts and media
Media freedom in Azerbaijan is restricted, including around discussions of climate change.[3][26]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Azerbaijan". EU4Climate. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- 1 2 Samant, Rohit; Prange, Matthias (2023-10-07). "Climate-driven 21st century Caspian Sea level decline estimated from CMIP6 projections". Communications Earth & Environment. 4 (1): 357. Bibcode:2023ComEE...4..357S. doi:10.1038/s43247-023-01017-8. ISSN 2662-4435.
- 1 2 3 Plumer, Brad; Bearak, Max (2023-12-09). "Azerbaijan Is Expected to Host the U.N. Climate Summit in 2024". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
- 1 2 3 "Country Inventory - Climate TRACE". climatetrace.org. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- 1 2 Vidadili, Nurtaj; Suleymanov, Elchin; Bulut, Cihan; Mahmudlu, Ceyhun (2017). "Transition to renewable energy and sustainable energy development in Azerbaijan". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 80: 1153–1161. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.168.
- ↑ Philander, S. George (2012-06-13). Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, Second Edition. SAGE Publications. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-5063-2075-5.
- ↑ "TEEB scoping study for forestry sector of Azerbaijan" (PDF).
- ↑ "Inputs for OHCHR's Analytical Study on the Impacts of Climate Change on the Enjoyment of the Right to Health (Human Rights Council Resolution 29/15) Contribution by Azerbaijan" (PDF).
- ↑ "Azerbaijan | CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION | Education Profiles". education-profiles.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ Mammadov, Tofig (2021-12-15). "Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Forestry in Azerbaijan". Natural Products and Biotechnology. 1 (2): 96–105. ISSN 2791-674X.
- ↑ Mammadov, T. S.; Balapour, Sh. (2015-01-01). "Climate Change Impacts on Azerbaijan Biodiversity in the Caspian Sea". Procedia Environmental Sciences. Agriculture and Climate Change - Adapting Crops to Increased Uncertainty (AGRI 2015). 29: 4. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.124. ISSN 1878-0296.
- ↑ Azerbaijan 6th national report (PDF) (Report).
- ↑ "Climate-Smart Agriculture Shows Promise in Improving Azerbaijan's Cotton Productivity". www.iaea.org. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "Investments and Policy Reforms Towards Low-Carbon Transition and Resilience are in Azerbaijan's Economic Interest, says WBG Report". World Bank. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "FAO 2023 conference" (PDF).
- ↑ "Climate change affects amount of fish caught in Caspian Sea". Azernews.Az. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "Climate Change 'Stranded Assets' Are a Long-Term Risk for Some Sovereigns". www.fitchratings.com. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "risk profile" (PDF).
- ↑ "Azerbaijan unveils new 2050 climate target in its NDC | Enerdata". www.enerdata.net. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal". climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "Event: 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD". Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ "COP28 kicks carbon trading down the road as EU blocks deal".
- ↑ "Young people in Azerbaijan embark on a climate action journey | UNICEF Europe and Central Asia". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ "Green Growth: Mirage or Reality for Azerbaijan's Future?". blogs.worldbank.org. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ "Controversy as COP29 to be held in Azerbaijan". OC Media. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ Lo, Joe (2023-12-09). "Oil-reliant Azerbaijan chosen to host Cop29 climate talks". Climate Home News. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
External links
- Reports to the UNFCCC
- Other documents submitted to the UNFCCC
- Climate Laws - Laws, policies and litigation