AGP Executive Report

Climate Targets: An Azerbaijani adviser says meeting climate goals will be a key national priority in the coming years. The country has also adopted a long-term low-emissions strategy and introduced climate-mitigation measures in agricultural legislation. Heat Risks: A Lancet report estimates nearly three million people died from extreme heat worldwide between 2016 and 2023, with climate change linked to most of the deaths. Biodiversity: Baku Art Weekend, running October 30 to November 1, will explore environmental responsibility through art, including a sculpture inspired by native species such as the Caucasian leopard and goitered gazelle. Water and Clean Energy: The Asian Development Bank is considering financing for a Caspian Sea desalination project, while the European Investment Bank backs an Azerbaijan-led green energy corridor but is seeking clearer details on funding and risks. COP31: African negotiators are pushing for formal talks on adaptation finance at the November climate summit in Antalya.

Household Solar: Azerbaijanis can sell surplus electricity to Azerishiq under the active-consumer scheme. Nearly 1,800 consumers are enrolled, more than 95% in Karabakh. Green Energy: Non-oil industry grew 1.5-fold from 2021 to 2025, driving up energy demand. The government says renewable-energy agreements now cover more than 8 gigawatts of capacity. Climate Policy: Azerbaijan has reported cutting greenhouse-gas emissions even as global levels hit a record, and has introduced climate-mitigation measures into agricultural legislation. Wildlife: A three-legged Persian leopard is believed to have travelled about 150 miles across the mine-scarred Caucasus. Its journey highlights the hazards facing an endangered species whose range includes Azerbaijan. Biodiversity in the Spotlight: Baku’s Art Weekend, opening October 30, will feature the Caucasus “Big Five” and explore the region’s wildlife and environmental responsibility.

Cross-Border Environment: Armenia’s environment minister said joint projects with Azerbaijan could follow border delimitation, arguing that nature knows no borders. Renewable Energy: Azerbaijani officials presented plans for renewable power and battery storage at an energy conference in Beijing. The Asian Development Bank is also considering financing for a Caspian desalination project. Climate: The WMO says greenhouse gas levels reached fresh records in 2025. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has reported lower emissions and approved a long-term low-emissions strategy. Wildlife: Persian leopards remain scarce across the Caucasus, where landmines threaten habitat and conservation groups operate with limited resources. Baku Biodiversity: An upcoming Art Weekend exhibition will spotlight the Caucasus “Big Five,” including the leopard, bear and goitered gazelle.

Cross-Border Conservation: Armenia’s environment minister says joint environmental projects with Azerbaijan could follow border delimitation, potentially helping restore ecological damage. His comments came amid allegations of forest damage at Shikahogh Reserve and near Jermuk. Water Security: The Asian Development Bank is considering up to $140 million for a $407 million Caspian desalination plant, designed to supply Baku and the Absheron Peninsula with up to 300,000 cubic metres of water daily. Biodiversity: A report from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border describes how militarisation is damaging forest habitat and disrupting wildlife in a regional biodiversity hotspot. Climate Policy: Azerbaijan has adopted a long-term low-emission development strategy and, for the first time, added climate mitigation measures to agricultural legislation.

Water Security: The Asian Development Bank is considering up to $140 million toward a $407 million Caspian Sea desalination project. The plant is planned to produce 300,000 cubic metres of water daily for Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. Biodiversity: A report from Armenia’s Shikahogh Reserve describes forest loss near the Azerbaijan border, where militarisation is disrupting habitats and animal movement. Clean Energy: The European Investment Bank backs the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe green energy corridor, but says costs, benefits and risks among participating countries need clarification before financing decisions. Climate Policy: Azerbaijan has introduced climate-mitigation measures in agricultural legislation for the first time, while a long-term low-emission strategy is also in place. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising concern that some islands could become connected to the mainland.

Water Security: The Asian Development Bank is considering $70 million for Azerbaijan’s first large-scale Caspian desalination plant, designed to supply up to 300,000 cubic metres of water daily. The project would operate under a 25-year public-private partnership. Clean Energy: The European Investment Bank backs the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe green power corridor but says participating countries must clarify how costs, benefits and risks will be shared before financing decisions. Caspian Watch: Falling sea levels are raising concern over islands becoming connected to the mainland, while Azerbaijan’s new national park in Karabakh adds to conservation efforts. Climate Policy: Azerbaijan has approved a long-term low-emission strategy and introduced climate measures in agricultural legislation; separate reporting says greenhouse gas emissions have fallen despite a global rise. COP31: Türkiye and Australia face scrutiny over planned coal projects as they prepare to host and lead next month’s climate summit.

Climate Policy: Azerbaijan reports that greenhouse-gas emissions have fallen despite a global rise. A draft agricultural law would, for the first time, set out climate adaptation and mitigation measures, including protective forest belts and resource-saving technologies. Clean Energy: Construction is underway on eight hydropower plants in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, while Baku and the World Bank are discussing the AZURE project and a green energy corridor. Azerbaijan has also approved a long-term low-emissions strategy. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising concern over ecological change and the risk that islands could become connected to the mainland. COP31: Türkiye says November’s Antalya summit should turn climate adaptation plans into practical projects, backed by finance and technology.

Climate-Smart Farming: Azerbaijan’s draft agricultural law, approved in its first reading, would regulate climate adaptation and emissions cuts in farming for the first time. Measures include protective forest belts, resource-saving technology and lower-emission machinery. Emissions and Clean Energy: Azerbaijan reports greenhouse-gas emissions fell even as they rose globally, and has approved a long-term low-emissions strategy. Baku also hosted its first Green Energy Corridor forum, while Azerbaijan and the World Bank discussed the AZURE project. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising concern that some islands could become connected to the mainland, with potential consequences for the region and transport routes. Conservation: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh.

Climate-Smart Farming: Azerbaijan’s draft agricultural-sector law, adopted in its first reading, would for the first time set climate mitigation and adaptation measures in agricultural legislation, including protective forest belts, lower-emission machinery and more efficient waste management. Emissions and Energy: Azerbaijan says greenhouse-gas emissions have fallen despite a global rise, and has approved a long-term low-emission strategy. A Baku forum focused on a Green Energy Corridor, while Azerbaijan and the World Bank discussed the AZURE project. Caspian at Risk: Reports warn that falling Caspian Sea levels threaten islands and could affect the Middle Corridor’s potential. Nature and Renewables: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh, and construction is underway on eight hydropower plants in the liberated territories. A European Union report also says the country has made significant progress in renewable energy.

Climate-Smart Farming: Parliament passed the draft Agricultural Sector Law at first reading, introducing climate mitigation and adaptation measures for the first time in agricultural legislation. Plans include protective forest belts, waste reuse, low-emission equipment and steps to reduce livestock emissions. Emissions and Energy: Azerbaijan approved a long-term low-emission development strategy, and a report says greenhouse gas emissions fell despite a global rise. Eight hydropower plants are also under construction in the country’s liberated territories. Caspian Alert: Falling water levels are raising concern over islands at risk of becoming connected to the mainland, adding pressure to the fragile sea and its surrounding environment. Nature Protection: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Azerbaijan’s parliament has passed a draft agricultural-sector law in its first reading, introducing climate mitigation and adaptation measures into agricultural legislation for the first time. Plans include protective forest belts, resource-saving technologies, lower-emission machinery and steps to cut livestock emissions. Emissions and Energy: Azerbaijan reports greenhouse gas emissions have fallen despite a global rise, and has approved a long-term low-emission strategy. Eight hydropower plants are under construction in liberated territories, while work continues on a regional green-energy corridor. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising concern that islands could become connected to the mainland, adding to worries about the shrinking sea’s environmental effects and the future of regional transport.

Emissions: Azerbaijan reported lower greenhouse-gas emissions despite a global rise, as the country advances a long-term low-emission strategy. Green Energy: A Baku forum brought governments, investors and energy companies together to move the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe power corridor from feasibility studies toward investment; a final investment decision is targeted for 2029. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising alarms, with reports warning that islands could become connected to the mainland. Nature and renewables: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh, while construction is underway on eight hydropower plants in the liberated territories.

Climate Policy: Azerbaijan approved a long-term low-emission strategy targeting conditional net-zero emissions by 2060; delivery depends on extra funding, technology transfer and private investment. Green Energy: A Baku forum is working to move the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe power link toward investment, with a final decision targeted for 2029. Separate World Bank talks on the AZURE project focused on integrating 2 gigawatts of renewables into Azerbaijan’s grid. Nature & Water: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh, while construction continues on eight hydropower plants in the liberated territories. Water scarcity and land degradation remain key challenges for the country’s agriculture. Caspian: Falling sea levels are raising concern over islands that may become connected to the mainland, underscoring mounting pressure on the Caspian’s changing landscape.

Green Energy: Baku is hosting an international forum to move the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe Green Energy Corridor from feasibility studies toward investment and implementation. A final investment decision is targeted for 2029. Renewables: An EU report says Azerbaijan has made significant progress in renewable energy, while a newly approved climate memorandum sets a framework for cooperation with the UN. Karabakh Projects: Azerbaijan has established a national park in Karabakh, and construction is underway on eight hydropower plants in the liberated territories. Water Pressures: Falling Caspian Sea levels are raising concern over islands becoming connected to the mainland. Water scarcity and land degradation also remain key challenges for Azerbaijan’s agriculture.

Renewables: An EU-backed report says Azerbaijan has made significant progress in renewable energy, but urges more locally driven, small-scale projects as major developments move ahead. Climate Commitments: Ilham Aliyev approved a climate memorandum with the UN. Clean Energy: Eight hydropower plants are under construction in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, while the country is exploring three green fuel and fertilizer projects. Nature & Water: Azerbaijan has established a new national park in Karabakh. Falling Caspian Sea levels are raising concern that some islands could become connected to the mainland. Biodiversity: Armenia is hosting the UN’s COP17 biodiversity conference, which is reviewing global efforts to halt nature loss by 2030.

Renewable Energy: An EU-funded business report says Azerbaijan has made significant progress in renewables and is attracting international developers, but calls for more support for local, small-scale projects as the pipeline of major developments thins. Nature Protection: A new Karabakh National Park will cover 88,418 hectares across five districts, with a mandate to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems and promote ecotourism. Climate Policy: President Ilham Aliyev approved a memorandum with the UN climate secretariat covering Climate Week-4 and a meeting of the Adaptation Committee. Clean Energy: Construction is underway on eight hydropower plants in liberated territories, while Azerbaijan is exploring three green fuel and fertilizer projects. Caspian Sea: Falling water levels are raising concerns for ecosystems and shipping, as shorelines retreat and an island in Dagestan could become connected to the mainland.