Official: Azerbaijan among countries vulnerable to climate change effects

Azerbaijan is one of the countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov told journalists after the conference "Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Development" held in Nakhchivan, Report informs.

According to Karimov, climate changes lead to a decrease in water resources and problems in the agricultural sector:

"Both in Azerbaijan and in the areas where rivers transfer to the country, the decrease in precipitation is one of the main factors leading to water scarcity. Warming, reduction of water resources, as well as soil degradation results in thinning and destruction of forests.

Agriculture is one of the main sectors that conditions climate changes, forming greenhouse gases that cause global warming. More methane is released into the atmosphere by users in this sector. The use of various chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers also reduces soil quality."

The deputy minister stated that COP29 had urgent calls aimed at eliminating these negative impacts:

"Azerbaijan presented fourteen initiatives at COP29. One of them, the harmony initiative, envisions the implementation of measures related to the adaptation of Azerbaijan's agricultural sectors to climate changes in the future."