Azerbaijan's Heydar Aliyev International Airport demonstrates leadership in aviation decarbonisation PHOTO

20 November 2024 21:33

A special event organised jointly by Heydar Aliyev International Airport and Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) showcased the aviation industry's strong commitment to the decarbonization process as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

During the event, the airport was awarded the second-level "Reduction" certificate under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme for its progress in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, Heydar Aliyev International Airport told Caliber.Az.

"We view environmental protection not only as a strategic goal but also as a crucial responsibility to future generations. This achievement inspires us to take further steps, such as reaching the 'Optimization' level, implementing innovative technologies, and solutions in sustainable development. This success not only is an accomplishment of Heydar Aliyev International Airport but also reflects Azerbaijan's commitment to the principles of sustainable development. Environmental responsibility in aviation is no longer a choice; it is a necessity of our time," President of Azerbaijan Airlines Samir Rzayev said.

Olivier Jankovec, the Director General of the European Region of the Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE), stated that the certification of over 600 airports was a significant milestone on the path to the full decarbonisation of operations.

He emphasised that this achievement demonstrated that airports around the world were prioritising sustainability and reducing carbon emissions by millions of tons annually. He also congratulated Azerbaijan's Baku airport for joining the climate community and for its leadership role in its subregion.

The event also featured a panel discussion on "Aviation Decarbonization and the Global Framework: Status and What is Ahead".

Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) World Justin Erbacci and Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) Haldane Dodd attended the event.

The sides discussed key challenges and opportunities, emphasising the importance of collaboration and the adoption of innovative technologies to achieve sustainable development goals.

Erbacci stated that airports were demonstrating their commitment to addressing climate change, a point that was once again highlighted at COP29. He emphasised that, in light of the challenging political landscape surrounding climate action, it was crucial for everyone to collectively reaffirm their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

He further remarked that aviation brings tremendous benefits to society and the economy, and that airports and their partners must continue efforts to reduce their carbon footprint while preserving the unique role of aviation in promoting prosperity and strengthening resilience to the impacts of climate change. He also expressed hope that countries would provide supportive frameworks to make the long-term ambitious goal set by ICAO achievable.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport continues supporting Azerbaijan's environmental goals by implementing innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

COP29, being held from November 11 to 22 at Baku Stadium, represents Azerbaijan's largest and most significant international event to date, marking the first time the country has hosted a COP summit. The event began with the signing of a Host Country Agreement and other important documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. A central focus of COP29 is the establishment of a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. In line with this, the presidency of COP29 has introduced 14 key initiatives that link climate action to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These initiatives cover areas such as green energy corridors, energy storage, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the development of green digital technologies. One of the flagship proposals is the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at supporting the critical goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout COP29, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its commitment to climate action and environmental protection. The unanimous decision to elect Azerbaijan as the host for this summit underscores the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in global climate efforts, underscoring the country’s dedication to mitigating climate change and advancing sustainable development.