BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7. The most
important target for the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is
to achieve near-zero methane intensity, Head of SOCAR's
Environmental Disclosures and Green Affairs Department, Mustafa
Gurbanli, said during a panel discussion within the framework of
the Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Trend's correspondent
reports from the event.


He noted that the company is working closely with international
partners to implement and achieve these targets.


"There are already many partners and organizations that have
done a lot of successful work. We decided to start cooperation with
them to use the best practices of these institutions. We submitted
our first report in 2025, and this was a great success for us.


SOCAR uses satellites, drones, and ground-based measurements to
reduce emissions. We also cooperate with the UN Environment
Program's MARS (Methane Alert and Response System) initiative.


MARS provides energy companies with information about potential
emissions, and we are one of the companies that receive this
emission data," he said.


Gurbanli emphasized that thanks to this program, we have managed
to prevent more than 100 million cubic meters of emissions and
return this gas to the system.


"Drones are also becoming an important part of our energy
industry, and SOCAR is closely cooperating with international and
local companies in measuring our emissions," he added.







The fourth Climate Week (CW4) of the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change is being held in Baku through September 11, hosted
by the Republic of Azerbaijan and organized by the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Baku, which has become an important international platform for
the climate agenda, is hosting discussions on the practical
implementation of climate decisions, the expansion of international
cooperation, and further strengthening global climate action ahead
of COP31.


Representatives of governments and international organizations,
experts, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil
society from various countries are expected to attend the
events.


Baku Climate Week is designed as an international platform for
discussions on combating climate change, the energy transition,
renewable energy, sustainable development, and accelerating climate
action.


The events will further strengthen Baku’s active role in the
global climate agenda and make an important contribution to
strengthening international climate cooperation ahead of COP31.