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

As of 2023 there is no net zero target.[1]

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. 1 2 3 4 "Azerbaijan". EU4Climate. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 1 2 3 "Country Inventory - Climate TRACE". climatetrace.org. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. "TEEB scoping study for forestry sector of Azerbaijan" (PDF).
  8. "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).
  9. "Azerbaijan | CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION | Education Profiles". education-profiles.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Azerbaijan 6th national report (PDF) (Report).
  13. "Climate-Smart Agriculture Shows Promise in Improving Azerbaijan's Cotton Productivity". www.iaea.org. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  14. "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.
  15. "FAO 2023 conference" (PDF).
  16. "Climate change affects amount of fish caught in Caspian Sea". Azernews.Az. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  17. "Climate Change 'Stranded Assets' Are a Long-Term Risk for Some Sovereigns". www.fitchratings.com. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  18. "risk profile" (PDF).
  19. "Azerbaijan unveils new 2050 climate target in its NDC | Enerdata". www.enerdata.net. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  20. "World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal". climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  21. "Event: 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD". Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  22. "COP28 kicks carbon trading down the road as EU blocks deal".
  23. "Young people in Azerbaijan embark on a climate action journey | UNICEF Europe and Central Asia". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  24. "Green Growth: Mirage or Reality for Azerbaijan's Future?". blogs.worldbank.org. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  25. "Controversy as COP29 to be held in Azerbaijan". OC Media. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  26. Lo, Joe (2023-12-09). "Oil-reliant Azerbaijan chosen to host Cop29 climate talks". Climate Home News. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
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