Turkmenistan has made a significant environmental breakthrough, reaching zero methane emissions in November and December 2024, according to the MARS platform monitoring conducted in cooperation with UNEP. Particularly impressive results were recorded in the Darvaza crater area, which confirms the effectiveness of the country's climate policy. This is stated in a statement by the organizers of the International Scientific and Practical Conference TESC 2025, Turkmenportal.com reports.
As noted in the press release, these achievements were the result of systematic work after Turkmenistan joined the Global Methane Commitment announced by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the COP28 conference in Dubai in 2023. The President of Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to create a UN Regional Climate Technology Center in Central Asia.
Turkmenistan's progress is also confirmed by independent sources. According to a report by KAYRROS, the country's total methane emissions in 2023 decreased by 10% compared to 2020, exceeding the nine percent reduction required to achieve 2030 targets. Moreover, the indicators improved even against the backdrop of increased oil and gas production.
To implement climate initiatives, Turkmenistan has approved a Roadmap for 2023-2026. The country's commitment to global climate efforts was also emphasized, including through key national strategies, such as the updated Climate Change Strategy and the approved Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which provides for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Turkmenistan's successful experience in reducing methane emissions will be one of the central topics of discussion at the upcoming International Scientific and Practical Conference on Environmental Aspects of Hydrocarbon Resources Extraction TESC 2025, which will be held on June 5 in Ashgabat.
The practices used in Turkmenistan could serve as a useful example for other energy-exporting countries seeking to align energy policies with environmental goals, organizers say.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 10, 2025