BAKU: Global climate change has become one of the most discussed topics in the international arena in recent years. These alterations have a huge impact on all spheres of life, including business, industry, and agriculture. But what specific threats do they pose, and how can they be tackled?
According to the European Commission, rising temperatures are increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts are becoming more common, damaging agriculture and water resources. Agriculture, in turn, is facing problems in food production, leading to rising prices and threatening food security.
Deputy Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s Agrarian Credit and Development Agency, Leyla Jabbarli, told Trend that global climate change poses various risks to business, industry, and agriculture in Azerbaijan as well as the rest of the world.
‘One of such risks is a reduction in productivity in agriculture. Due to climatic heating, there is an uneven distribution of precipitation, an expansion
of the impact of drought, and the frequent occurrence of extreme weather conditions (floods, storms), which can negatively affect agricultural production and significantly reduce its productivity. This leads not only to a decrease in farmers’ incomes but also to a deterioration in the quality of products, as well as a decrease in competitiveness in both domestic and foreign markets,’ she said.
According to her, global climate change requires efficient use of water resources, as their shrinking and uneven distribution pose serious risks.
‘Lack of irrigation is considered one of the major factors weakening agricultural production worldwide. Rising average annual temperatures and related other climatic changes increase risks in the agricultural sector, leading to higher insurance and production costs and lower investment attractiveness for the sector,’ she said.
Jabbarli noted that continuous state support is needed to manage risks in agriculture.
‘In Azerbaijan, one of the key directions of state policy in
the agricultural sector is adaptation and measures to adjust to the risks caused by global climate change. One of such measures is to promote the introduction of modern irrigation systems. Providing water requirements with modern methods allows not only efficient use of water resources but also protects land resources. The application of various subsidy mechanisms is aimed at eliminating the negative effects of global climate change on agriculture in the medium and long term. For instance, providing a one-time subsidy for sowing in orchards on land of poor quality allows for more efficient use of land resources and stimulates the return of eroded and saline lands to turnover,’ she emphasized.
The state support aimed at stimulating the efficient use of land and water resources also serves as an example of managing the risks posed by climate change at the global level, concluded the agency’s Deputy Chairperson.
Speaking about business solutions, it should be noted that they include developing sustainable supp
ly chains, investing in local production and warehousing facilities, using digital technologies to monitor and manage risks, increasing insurance coverage, as well as implementing eco-innovation and complying with environmental standards.
The solutions for industry, on the other hand, include investing in renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure to make it more sustainable, and optimizing production processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reuse waste.
On the other hand, solutions for agriculture include adaptive agriculture using drought- and disease-resistant crops, drip irrigation systems and water-saving technologies, land management through agroforestry and soil health monitoring, and precision farming technologies such as the use of drones and satellites to monitor fields.
Global climate change is having a significant impact on business, industry, and agriculture, creating serious challenges for all these areas. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, water instability, and chan
ges in temperature patterns require businesses to be flexible and ready to adapt.
An essential step to managing these risks is to develop and implement adaptive strategies to increase resilience to climate change. For business, this may mean investing in sustainable supply chains and clean technologies; for industry, in infrastructure modernization and renewable energy; and for agriculture, in water-saving technologies and climate-resilient crops.
Government support and regulation play a key role in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, providing conditions for efficient resource management, and stimulating innovation. The joint efforts of business, industry, and agriculture, as well as support from government agencies, will help to meet climate challenges and create a more sustainable future.
Source: Trend News Agency