BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 10. Azerbaijan's
participation in the Covenant of Mayors demonstrates its commitment
to global climate goals while respecting national development
priorities, said Ambassador of the EU to Azerbaijan, Marijana
Kujundžić, during an event on the Covenant of Mayors Initiative,
organized in Baku by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy jointly
with the EU, Trend
reports.
"The Covenant of Mayors initiative provides municipalities with
a robust framework for demonstrating leadership, making binding
climate commitments, and effectively translating national
objectives into actionable outcomes," stated the ambassador.
"By joining the Covenant of Mayors, cities voluntarily commit to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resilience to climate
change, improving energy efficiency, and implementing sustainable
solutions," she continued.
She emphasized that the initiative is not merely a political
pledge but a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap founded on
strategic planning, climate action frameworks, international
cooperation, technical expertise, and access to financing
opportunities.
"Azerbaijan’s engagement in the Covenant of Mayors underscores
its dedication to global climate objectives while simultaneously
honoring the country's development priorities. While the energy
sector remains the largest contributor to emissions, it also holds
the most significant potential for transformation. Key areas of
focus include enhancing energy efficiency in public buildings,
schools, hospitals, and residential areas; developing renewable
energy sources like solar and wind, particularly within municipal
infrastructure; and addressing energy losses in local distribution
networks," the ambassador further highlighted.
Kujundžić emphasized that energy efficiency is not only a
climate solution: it reduces municipal budget expenditures,
increases energy security, and lowers household electricity
bills.
The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative was
launched by the EU in 2008. Since 2015, the initiative has expanded
globally.
The main goals of the Covenant of Mayors include:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency
measures and expanding the use of renewable energy;
- increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change;
- strengthening cooperation between municipalities, local
governments, and central governments;
- ensuring safe, sustainable, and reliable access to energy for
all.
The Covenant of Mayors is signed by local and regional
authorities committed to achieving the above-mentioned goals and
voluntarily implementing EU climate and energy targets.
