Join the Conversation: Baku Climate Action Week Explores Innovative Plans for a Sustainable Built Environment (Photos Inside!)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 1. A roundtable discussion took place during Baku Climate Action Week to explore sustainable building practices in Azerbaijan.

The event highlighted a significant issue: buildings contribute 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions from the construction sector. In Azerbaijan, they were responsible for 16 million tons of CO₂ emissions in 2022, making up 16% of the country’s fuel combustion emissions. This shows that our architecture can both shelter us and protect communities from extreme weather, such as heatwaves and floods.

As discussions heat up ahead of COP29, major construction companies in Azerbaijan are committed to reducing emissions. They are working on a detailed “Azerbaijan Sustainable Built Environment Roadmap” with the UN Global Compact. This roadmap aims to align local efforts with the global target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Samir Mammadov from the UN Global Compact stressed the importance of the “Net Zero Accelerator” program. This initiative aims to develop workforce skills and carefully analyze the challenges and opportunities in the construction sector.

Alida Saleh, a senior advisor, rounded out the statistics: 40% of solutions for doubling energy efficiency by 2030 could come from buildings. “Transforming our buildings enhances lives, creates jobs, and strengthens community resilience,” she noted.

Henning Sasse, a construction company head, discussed the need for more efficient use of cement and concrete. He emphasized the urgency for collaboration with other construction firms to innovate in sustainable practices.

Ali Huseynov from another firm pointed out the potential of carbon capture technology. However, he warned that full implementation would take time due to the industry’s current limitations. Learning from successful global examples could help Azerbaijan advance in this area.

“While some projects may not be immediately profitable, it’s crucial to initiate them,” Huseynov said, advocating for state subsidies to jumpstart new ventures. He pointed out that 15% of Azerbaijan’s CO₂ emissions come from fuel, which presents a large room for growth in sustainability.

The discussion underscores that sustainable building practices are not just about reducing emissions; they can lead to job creation and improved public health. As the global community prepares for future climate events, Azerbaijan’s efforts can serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide.

For more insights, check out resources by the UN Global Compact, which works to inspire actions for a better world.

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