German secretary of state: Azerbaijan in unique position to make energy transition

Azerbaijan has taken on a big role by becoming the president of the upcoming COP29 in the fall, which means great opportunities for the country, but at the same time great obligations, Jennifer Morgan, Secretary of State and Special Representative of Germany for International Climate Action at the German Foreign Ministry, said at a meeting with a group of journalists in Baku, Report informs.

Germany congratulates the country’s government on hosting this event, Morgan noted, adding that holding the COP in Baku creates, in a certain sense, a full cycle.

It is interesting that Azerbaijan, which was the first country to begin intensive exploration and development of significant quantities of fossil fuels in the world, is now working to transition to renewable energy sources and strives for energy efficiency, she said. The country’s government says it is interested in transitioning to renewable energy sources, she noted.

Germany is very actively implementing the transition from traditional energy resources to renewable ones, almost 50% of electricity is generated from them, and the country is moving towards a complete abandonment of oil, gas and coal, she added. Germany is ready to share its accumulated experience in this, she said.

According to Morgan, the climate crisis is a reality, everyone agrees, and it is getting worse. The year 2023 was recorded as the year of the highest temperatures on Earth, and there was also intense rainfall and, as a result, floods and drought, she noted.

Azerbaijan, like other countries in the world, is experiencing the consequences of climate change, including in such areas as water shortage and drought, on the other hand, heavy rains and landslides and other negative consequences, she added.

Clearly, all countries must strive to meet the three main goals of the Paris Agreement, including keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reaching sustainability and adaptation in the face of climate change and redirection of financial resources.