2024-04-03 07:46:00
Author: Elvin Sakhavatoglu
It is known that the air temperature in the world increases to a certain extent every year. We feel this negative trend in our lives.
Global warming causes the melting of glaciers, the reduction of arable land, and the rise of daily temperatures.
But what is the cause of warming?
One of the main reasons is the pollution of the atmosphere by carbon emission gases.
For example, countries with a large economy and heavy industry play a major role in atmospheric pollution and therefore in accelerating global warming.
Only a few countries in the world emit most of the carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air. They are China, USA, India, Russia and European Union.
What is the way out?
The first thesis about the way out was put forward in 1991 by the British economist Michael Jacobs. According to him, the way out is the transition to “green energy” or “green economy”. He also presented the book “Green economy: environment, sustainable development and politics of the future” on this topic.
The reasons that make the transition to “green energy” relevant are:
– the use of “green energy” helps to reduce climate change and limit global warming;
– as a result of the development of the “green energy” industry, new jobs are created, which is one of the important factors for sustainable development;
– the use of “green energy” plays an important role in improving air quality;
– the transition to “green energy” stimulates the application of new approaches and technologies in this field;
– The use of “green energy” is also important for people’s health. According to the World Health Organization, more than 13 million deaths worldwide are related to air pollution every year.
As global warming increases year by year, countries are accelerating the transition to “green energy”.
According to forecasts, electricity from renewable sources or “green energy” will provide 65 percent of the world’s electricity production by 2030. According to the calculations of the International Renewable Energy Agency, by 2050, 90 percent of the world’s electricity can be obtained from renewable or “green energy” sources.
Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 70 percent globally by 2050, which will help prevent climate change. First of all, there will be a rapid increase in electricity generation due to wind and solar energy. It is reported that this will happen mainly in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. In order to prevent global climate change, it is planned to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide to the minimum level in the period after 2050. Hydrogen and synthetic fuels, direct electrification, biofuels will have a significant impact on innovative business models and structural change in this area.
The role of Azerbaijan in the transition to “green energy”.
Along with countries that pollute the world, there are also countries that want to prevent the pollution of our planet. Azerbaijan ranks first among them. The favorable geographical position and climatic conditions of Azerbaijan create ample opportunities for the production of “green energy”. Great success is being achieved in the field of renewable energy production due to wind, solar, mountain rivers, biomass and geothermal water sources.
There is already a strategy of transition to “green energy” of Azerbaijan. In this regard, many important steps have been taken since 2020.
It should be especially emphasized that Azerbaijan has made great progress in the field of using wind and solar energy.
For the development of this sector, great work is being done in the territories freed from occupation. Transporting “green energy” to world markets is one of the main directions in the energy policy of the Azerbaijan state. Azerbaijan plans to have a renewable energy production potential of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. In 2023, the largest solar power plant of the Caucasus and Central Asia region with a capacity of 230 megawatts was commissioned in Azerbaijan, and the construction of new such plants continues. Important work is being done in the direction of the construction of the “green energy” electric cable that will stretch from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea and Europe.
Azerbaijan’s “green energy” potential
The technical potential of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sources is 135 GW on land and 157 GW at sea. The economic potential of renewable energy sources is 27 GW, wind energy is 3,000 MW, solar energy is 23,000 MW, bioenergy potential is 380 MW, and the potential of mountain rivers is 520 MW.
In order to develop the field of renewable energy in Azerbaijan, projects are implemented with the support of international financial organizations such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Development Bank.
“Masdar” of United Arab Emirates, “ACWA Power” of Saudi Arabia, “bp” of Great Britain, “Fortescue Future Industries” of Australia, “TEPSCO” of Japan, “Maire Tecnimont” of Italy, “China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment”, “Total” of France Energies” and other foreign companies have signed agreements on renewable energy production in Azerbaijan and relevant measures are being implemented. Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, have been declared “green energy” zones. These areas have high potential “green energy” sources.
In general, systematic work is being done at the top management level in Azerbaijan regarding the transition to “green energy”. This greatly contributes to the achievement of serious results. Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, the world’s most prestigious climate event, is the result of our country’s systematic work in this field.