Azerbaijan has done a huge work towards environmental protection in recent years, said Rovshan Abbasov, member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, and expert on environmental issues, Report informs.
He added that the announcement of 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year and the holding of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan are the best indicators of the work done in the direction of environmental protection.
According to Abbasov, one of the important steps taken in regard is the completion of national ecosystem assessments in Azerbaijan. So, within the framework of these assessments, it is expected that the national biodiversity action plan will be adopted soon and clear targets will be set by 2030.
At the same time, the total area of specially protected natural territories in Azerbaijan is increasing, certain work is being done in solid waste management, the use of polyethylene bags and plastic products is being restricted, and legislative acts are constantly being improved, the expert noted.
"The launch of two large water treatment plants that will be commissioned in the near future in Baku and Absheron Peninsula shows the great importance given to the protection of the Caspian Sea at the national level.
In the same way, increasing the use of alternative water sources in water supply, the measures implemented towards desalination of the water in the Caspian Sea, and the restoration of earthen canals to prevent water losses should be noted as commendable work," he said.
Abbasov congratulated the entire Azerbaijani community and workers engaged in environmental protection on the occasion of World Environment Day.