Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan is taking the forefront in solving the global challenges of our time, actively promoting large-scale initiatives and, most importantly, proposing ways to solve them. Positive initiatives, intended to bring enormous benefits to humanity, include ensuring energy security, efficiency and the diversification of energy supplies, addressing climate change, introducing innovations and using investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The National Climate Change Strategy, adopted in 2012, was an important step for our country to participate in the global climate agenda. A logical continuation of actions in this direction was the accession of Turkmenistan to the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2019, in this regard, a new version of the National Climate Change Strategy was approved.

Today, when the future of energy is directly related to one of the problems on a planetary scale – climate change, our country attaches great importance to the promotion of sustainable energy, clean energy and energy security and the introduction of alternative energy sources. It is the solution to these problems that currently plays a decisive role in the sustainable development of humankind and intensifies efforts to curb global warming and to reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions from hydrocarbon production. 

In this context, the statement of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Global Climate Conference COP 28 in Dubai (UAE) on Turkmenistan’s joining the Global Methane Pledge is of particular importance.

In his historic speech at the forum in Dubai, the President of Turkmenistan, noting that our country would continue to cooperate with international organizations and partner states within the framework of existing projects and programs aimed at fulfilling the terms arising from the Global Methane Pledge, put forward a number of important initiatives. 

It is clear that an energy revolution, based on renewable energy and energy efficiency, is not only necessary to accelerate economic progress and development, but also significant in addressing the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are rapidly warming our planet. All these aspects are key elements that need to be taken into account in building a fair, sustainable and prosperous society for future generations.

In this regard, special attention is paid to the fuel and energy complex, where much work is being done to reduce emissions by increasing the volume of utilized associated petroleum gas and reducing losses of natural gas during its transportation. 

Taking into account the recommendations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and with the active support of the UN Development Program, our country developed and approved Turkmenistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement in May 2022. This strategic document provides for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by 20 percent compared to 2010 levels. Turkmenistan plans to achieve zero growth in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and in the long term to significantly reduce them annually. The Turkmen state advocates a consolidated approach to the problems of this plan, taking concrete steps to protect the environment and striving to make its worthy contribution to the development of international cooperation in an area so vital for all humanity.  

The topic of reducing methane emissions is certainly included in the program of international forums held by the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan. One example of this is the International Forum on attracting foreign investments in the energy sector of Turkmenistan (TEIF 2024), which was successfully held in the capital of the French Republic, Paris, at which the issue of reducing methane and associated gas emissions during the development of hydrocarbon fields became one of the main ones.

The forum participants are known to have been united in their desire to consolidate the efforts of the world community in solving one of the most pressing challenges of our time – the fight against global climate change and the transition to a green economy. 

The topic of deepening cooperation between the oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan and international organizations, focused on environment protection and a “green” future, was also stated in the agenda of the two-day International Scientific Conference “Energy Prospects, New Technologies and Environmental Aspects of Hydrocarbon Field Development” (TESC 2024), held by the Türkmengaz and Türkmennebit State Concerns and the Türkmengeologiýa State Corporation at the capital’s Arçabil Hotel on June 5-6.

Participation in the forum of 270 delegates from 33 countries, including representatives of such world-famous companies as PETRONAS Carigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd, Baker Hughes, Mitro International, ADNOC, CNPC, Eni S.p.A., Dragon Oil and Lukoil, among others, was vivid evidence of the growing interest of foreign business circles in cooperation with our country in environmental issues. The organization of such forums at such a high level confirms the active position and responsible attitude of Turkmenistan to this important issue. 

Of particular importance in the context of environment protection is the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and now being successfully implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The realization of this large-scale project will serve as an example of the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution on stable transit of energy resources and will also ensure the sustainable development of countries. 

As is known, in the process of transition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the subsequent impact on climate change, a key role is given to natural gas, which is the cleanest and most economical type of fossil fuel. First of all, this concerns natural gas supplied to consumers through pipelines. Comparative analyses of the volumes of carbon dioxide emissions when transporting natural gas through the TAPI pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from source to points of intake in Pakistan and India show that transporting gas through the TAPI pipeline creates a smaller volume of transport carbon dioxide emissions than transporting the same volume gas using LNG technology. 

Thus, the TAPI gas pipeline will not only give an impetus to the economic development of the states of the region, but will also become a positive factor in solving pressing problems of reducing carbon emissions.

Turkmenistan demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development and plays an important role in promoting climate actions at the regional and global levels.

With ambitious plans for renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction, Turkmenistan is positioning itself as a leader in promoting sustainable energy and addressing climate change, creating a future that is good both for people and the entire planet. 

Ussa Ussayev,
Editor-in-Chief of the Nebit-Gaz Newspaper.