Joint policy brief by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, November 2024
This GCSP policy brief explores how collaboration on shared resources between Armenia and Azerbaijan could foster regional stability and peace amid the looming impacts of climate change.
Joint action on climate change is becoming increasingly urgent in the South Caucasus, especially between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both countries face serious economic, social, and political risks from climate impacts, including rising temperatures, reduced precipitation, desertification, extreme weather, water scarcity, and the spread of diseases.
To mitigate climate change impacts, enhance energy security, and reduce the risk of conflict, cooperation is crucial. The authors outline five actionable policy options to promote environmental and energy cooperation:
- Joint efforts to clean the Aras River.
- Implementing small scale green projects in border villages.
- Cooperating on the black sea submarine cable project.
- Utilising Azerbaijan as an energy transmission facilitator for Armenia.
- Integrating Armenia into Azerbaijan’s petroleum export market.
Implementing these could mitigate the negative impacts of cross-border environmental challenges while fostering mutual understanding, confidence building, and reconciliation through shared problem solving.
These are extracts from a policy brief by Anar Ahmadov, Agha Bayramov, Tatul Manaseryan and Arman Martirosyan, published by GCSP in November 2024. It analyses the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan and highlights how both countries can address the issues relating to climate change whilst fostering reconciliation, leading to reduced risks of conflict overall. The full policy brief can be accessed through the link here.