(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijan's
transition to a green Economy is a crucial element of its
sustainable development and is reflected in the ongoing
socio-economic reforms, president of COP29, Minister of Ecology and
Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Mukhtar Babayev stated at a
conference, Trend
reports.
Babayev highlighted the importance of this shift speaking at
"The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Green
Economy" conference in Baku, organized by the Small and Medium
Business Development Agency (KOBIA) with support from the
ministries of Economy, Ecology, and Natural Resources.
"According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), Azerbaijan has made significant progress in expanding
renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and other
climate-related issues," Babayev stated.
He drove home the point that sustainable development and
environmental protection are among the top priorities outlined in
Azerbaijan's National Priorities until 2030. This document includes
specific ecological targets such as hitting the ground running with
a green economy, keeping a tight ship with natural resource
management, cutting down on carbon emissions, rolling with the
punches of climate change, and kicking it up a notch with energy
efficiency.
"UN statistics show that SMEs account for a significant portion
of global employment. They play a critical role in creating jobs
for women, youth, and vulnerable social groups. However, SME
activities also contribute notably to carbon dioxide emissions.
Therefore, improving their environmental performance has great
potential in combating climate change," he added.
He pointed out the 12th SDG – "Responsible Consumption and
Production," stressing the importance of adopting clean and
efficient production methods.
"By adhering to this objective, we can mitigate environmental
risks and promote more responsible resource utilization.
Today, transitioning to an economically sustainable, clean, and
healthy future is one of the most pressing challenges and, at the
same time, a significant responsibility for society. Amid global
environmental pollution, dwindling natural resources, and growing
demand, the shift to a green economy is crucial for achieving
sustainable development," Babayev concluded.
MENAFN09092024000187011040ID1108651259
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.