Azerbaijan to draft National Action Plan against atmospheric air pollution

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 4. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on measures
to strengthen the fight against atmospheric air pollution,
including the preparation of the relevant draft National Action
Plan.

The text of the document has been published on the official
website of the President of Azerbaijan.

According to the decree, the State Commission on Climate Change
and Protection of Atmospheric Air, established by decree No. 560 of
the President of Azerbaijan dated April 30, 1997, must prepare and
submit a draft "National Action Plan for Combating Atmospheric Air
Pollution in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2028–2035" (hereinafter
referred to as the "National Action Plan") to the President of
Azerbaijan, by November 1, 2027 to ensure the implementation of
systematic and coordinated measures aimed at preventing atmospheric
air pollution and improving air quality.

When preparing the draft National Action Plan, the State
Commission on Climate Change and Protection of Atmospheric Air must
ensure the following:

- The comprehensive implementation of the priorities,
establishing a clean environment and a "green growth" country, as
defined in "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic
Development" (approved by the decree of the President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan No. 2469 dated February 2, 2021), in
alignment with the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference
of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change, the outcomes of the 29th Conference of the
Parties (COP29), the country’s "Updated 3rd Nationally Determined
Contributions," and the targets set out in "Azerbaijan’s Long-term
Low-Carbon Development Strategy";

- The assessment of the current state of atmospheric air
quality, the primary sources of pollution, and the adverse impacts
of air pollution on human health and the environment;

- The improvement of the atmospheric air quality monitoring
system; the strengthening of mechanisms for the inventory and state
registration of harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere,
harmful physical impacts, and their sources; as well as the
alignment of mechanisms for the exchange of information on
transboundary pollution with international standards;

- The identification of measures aimed at reducing harmful
emissions into the atmosphere across key economic sectors, and the
improvement of relevant environmental standards;

- The implementation and enhancement of advanced technologies
and digital control mechanisms;

- The incorporation of atmospheric air quality criteria into the
planning of cities and other settlements; the application of a
zoning principle in large cities based on atmospheric air pollution
levels; and the development of additional action plans for areas
with high pollution levels;

- The identification of opportunities to utilize economic
incentive tools, green finance, and public-private partnership
mechanisms;

- The expansion of public access to information regarding
atmospheric air quality;

Assess the possibilities for engaging international
organizations, experts, and specialized consulting firms, with the
aim of leveraging advanced international experience, as well as
utilizing the potential of local scientific organizations, experts,
and civil society institutions in this field, during the
preparation of the draft National Action Plan.

Take other necessary measures to ensure the implementation of
item 1.1 of this decree.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must resolve issues
arising from this decree.