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Sustainable Development in Azerbaijan

1 Apr 2021
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Introduction

Sustainable development is one of the fateful paradigms of modern humanity, the most important economic challenge facing society. The successful economic policy pursued during the years of independence allowed Azerbaijan to achieve high rates of economic growth, exceeding the same indicator not only in the post-Soviet space, but in some years throughout the world. The purpose of this article is to investigate the foundations of sustainable development in Azerbaijan.

What’s Sustainable Development

The depletion of the Earth's natural resources, as well as the rapid increase in population and some of the negative consequences  of  a  competitive  economy  and  globalisation  have  brought  the  sustainable development of human civilisation as we know it to a crossroad. In response, politicians, researchers, and communities around the world have warned that dominant human behaviours must change and that people must embrace the concept of sustainable development [1]. The debate on sustainable development first began in academia, and then the theories were brought to the entire world community. Considerable attempts have been made to define the term “sustainable development”. The assumption that “sustainable” means “economical” is the most common one. Recycling and reuse of industrial waste is the most significant factor in achieving sustainable development goals [2]. It is assumed that the energy should be environmentally friendly, and that more widespread use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, should be introduced [3].

Sustainable Development in Azerbaijan

The beginning of the current phase of implementation of the principles of sustainable development was established by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan “On the preparation of the "Azerbaijan 2020: a look into the future" concept for the period until 2020” dated November 29, 2011 [4]. It ensures the development of the Azerbaijani economy on the principles of sustainable development and includes a comprehensive combination of economic, social, and environmental components. Currently, the country is implementing over 60 government programmes related to social and environmental issues. Azerbaijan also develops comprehensive strategies for development, sustainable development, and environmental protection both in the economy in general and in its individual sectors. The main tasks of implementing a green economy and sustainable consumption and production policies are defined in the Development Concept “Azerbaijan-2020: a look into the future”. The long-term goals of the Development Concept include the development of an economic model based on effective government regulation and market relations, ensuring sustainable socio-economic development, improvement of the structure of the economy, support of scientific potential and innovation, improvement of transport infrastructure, especially transit and logistics, balanced regional development; environmental protection.

Natural resources management in Azerbaijan is based on permits, including permits for the emission of air pollutants, integrated environmental permits, permits for the storage and disposal of waste, and permits for the special use of water resources. Careful work on the timely application of international standards allows the country to take part in the global market, as well as reduce the burden on the environment and more efficiently use natural resources. The system of operating permits approved by the Department of State Ecological Expertise of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is used in Azerbaijan. Permits for large projects are also issued based on internationally recognized methodologies and procedures for environmental impact assessment (EIA), they are integrated into the national regulatory decision-making system [5]. Environmental criteria are currently being developed for products and services produced and sold in the Azerbaijani market. There is a working group within the State Committee for Standardisation. The basis for the development of these criteria are the directives of the European Union, as well as support for the development of environmental criteria for goods and services under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The purchase of “green” goods and services, as well as the overwhelming purchase of renewable energy sources by national suppliers at the appropriate “green” tariff, is widely discussed in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is considering the possibility of introducing incentive measures (financial, credit, depreciation, etc.) to introduce new technologies aimed at supporting and improving the quality of the environment and attracting national and foreign investment. The state seeks to attract international technical assistance to enhance the technological capabilities and environmental principles of the national economy. According to the national programme for sustainable regional development for 2014-2018, technical  regulations  have  been  developed  in   Azerbaijan,  considering   the  requirements   for  the production, and labelling of organic products. At the same time, mechanisms of financial support (subsidies) were developed for organisations that produce organic products [6].

Conclusions

A model of sustainable development is relevant for Azerbaijan, which makes provision for balancing the rates of economic growth with the rates of reproduction of natural resources and the rates of reproduction of the quality of the environment within the framework of the assimilation potential of nature. The balanced economy, in turn, means considering it in the form of an ecological and economic system with balanced material flows. Today, Azerbaijan is discussing the purchase of “green” goods and services, as well as the overwhelming purchase of renewable energy sources by national suppliers at the appropriate “green” tariff. According to the state programme for sustainable regional development for 2014-2018, technical regulations have been developed that consider the requirements for the production and labelling of organic products. At the same time, mechanisms of financial support (subsidies) for organisations that produce organic products were developed.

References:

  1. Liu, H., Leng, S., He, C., Peng, J., Piao, S., Wang, X. (2019). China’s road towards sustainable development: Geography bridges science and solution. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 43(5), 694-706.
  2. Burns, T. R. (2016). Sustainable development: Agents, systems, and the environment. Current Sociology, 64(6), 875–906.
  3. Malekpour, S., Brown, R. R., de Haan, F. J. (2017). Disruptions in strategic infrastructure planning – What do they mean for sustainable development? Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 35(7), 1285–1303.
  4. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 678-IQ “On Environmental Protection”. (1999, June). Retrieved from http://continent-online.com/Document/?doc_id=30600910#pos=0;0.
  5. Azerbaijan: Ecological       state.    (2020). Retrieved            from https://azerbaijan.az/ru/related- information/239.
  6. Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 840-IQ “On Specially Protected Natural Territories and Facilities”. (2000, March). Retrieved from https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=30608980.

Hussein Baghirov
Department of Political Science
Western Caspian University
AZ1001, 31 Istiglaliyyat Str., Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan