BAKU: Global warming can be reduced by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, Head of Azerbaijan’s EcoSphere Socio-Ecological Center and Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee Firuza Sultan-zade told Trend.
She said that the problem of global warming in the world is mainly associated with the emission of greenhouse gases, and therefore many states, including Azerbaijan, set goals for reducing emissions and participate in relevant agreements and programs.
According to her, in order to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees, carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced to 33 billion tons by 2030.
“To achieve these targets, fundamental changes in the structure of society are needed: we will have to reduce the use of fossil fuels and switch to clean energy sources, reduce deforestation, and use environmentally friendly methods of agricultural cultivation,” the expert explained.
She cited arguments from scientists around the world that, currently, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 70 percent using existing a
nd ready-to-use technological developments.
“In addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, it is necessary to reduce emissions of another greenhouse gas – methane. Azerbaijan has announced its participation in the Global Methane Pledge initiative, which involves the voluntary commitment of states to reduce methane emissions.
As part of this initiative, Azerbaijan is ready to support joint international efforts aimed at reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030,” noted Sultan-zade.
A large share of greenhouse gas emissions is mainly observed in the fossil fuel extraction sector.
“Despite the fact that the development of modern Azerbaijan is closely linked to oil extraction, our country is a regional leader in implementing innovative approaches aimed at transitioning to green energy, which will make a significant contribution to combating the effects of climate change and global warming,” the COP29 official also said.
She reminded that Azerbaijan is a country with enormous potent
ial for renewable energy sources (solar, wind, and water) and is gradually transitioning to their use.
In her opinion, the implementation of such a program in Azerbaijan as creating zero greenhouse gas emission zones in the liberated lands by 2050, particularly through the establishment of renewable energy facilities, is crucial.
“In Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, programs for ecosystem restoration and environmental protection have begun in a short period of time. These efforts are planned to be presented at COP29,” said Sultan-zade.
Besides, according to her, civil society in Azerbaijan and environmental organizations are proud to have the opportunity to participate in COP29 in November in Baku along with the government, local non-governmental organizations, and global and national expert delegations in the most prestigious international environmental and ecological event of global significance.
“The fact that the next session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate wil
l be held in Azerbaijan is another great success for our country and our people,” she added.
EcoSphere, marking its 25th anniversary this year, is engaged in the protection of cultural and natural heritage, environmental education and public awareness, eco-tourism, and working with children and youth.
This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70-80,000 foreign guests.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP-the Conference of the Parties-is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took pl
ace in March 1995 in Germany’s Berlin, with its secretariat in Bonn.
Source: Trend News Agency