Baku: Wastewater measures will reduce CO2 emissions by 36 percent by 2030, as stated by the Head of the Environmental Management Planning Department of SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan), Madina Hajiyeva, during the 2nd International Water Management Exhibition and Conference – Baku Water Week held in Baku.
According to Trend News Agency, Hajiyeva explained that by leveraging the potential for reducing emissions from wastewater, SOCAR aims to achieve a reduction of 218 million tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. She acknowledged that wastewater treatment is an expensive initiative requiring substantial financial investments, with only 35 percent reduction being feasible by 2030. Of this, only one percent involves profitable solutions, while the remaining requires over 30 percent of costs per ton of CO2.
Hajiyeva highlighted the global challenges affecting watersheds, noting that one-fifth are impacted by floods or droughts, a situation that also affects Azerbaijan. She emphasized the significant glacier losses experienced over the last 50 years and the impact of water-related disasters on people and infrastructure. The recent floods in Azerbaijan have led to pollutants being discharged into reservoirs.
The SOCAR official addressed the issue of methane emissions from wastewater, which contributes to 5 percent of non-CO2 emissions globally, with expectations to reach 609 million tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. Countries like China, Mexico, India, the US, and Nigeria account for the largest share, driven by increasing population and wastewater generation.
Hajiyeva also pointed out that wastewater services contribute to approximately 3-4 percent of global electricity consumption, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. She stressed the importance of reporting emissions under international agreements and the role of wastewater as a major source of methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
In Azerbaijan, all major wastewater treatment plants are situated on the Caspian Sea coast. The dropping sea levels pose challenges in achieving discharge standards. The increase in precipitation, especially on the Absheron Peninsula and central regions, has overwhelmed the rainwater collection system, leading to inefficiencies in waste treatment and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Hajiyeva underscored the need for developing design standards and emergency response plans that consider climate factors, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as wastewater treatment plants face challenges due to flooding.