A green economy is an approach to economic development based on the principles of sustainable development and aimed at reducing environmental impacts, increasing the efficiency of limited natural resources in the context of unlimited economic growth and promoting social equality. The transition to a green economy is aimed at achieving long-term economic growth without harming the environment and is a key guiding principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

With the signing of the Paris Agreement on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on December 12, 2015, resource efficiency has grown worldwide, investment in renewable energy sources has increased and the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies has begun. The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit the increase in average global temperature to 1.5-2 degrees Celsius, primarily by combating the harmful effects of carbon dioxide.

Our independent and permanently neutral homeland is one of the leaders in the region in implementing global efforts for a green future. In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, the esteemed President responsibly stated, “Significant investments will be directed to the electric power industry of our independent state. In order to diversify exports of Turkmen energy resources to foreign markets, production will be increased and the electricity supply system will be improved.

“In the future, it is planned to establish and introduce renewable energy sources in our country on a large scale, including solar panels.” According to the head of state, special attention is paid to the energy sector of the domestic economy; it is planned to expand the scope of alternative and secondary use of energy sources, to develop and introduce energy-saving and innovative technologies and to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the use of natural energy resources. 

Our country, which is a member of a number of international organizations in the social sphere, was accepted into the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in October 2018.

Recently, the most popular green energy in the world is biofuel and bioethanol. It is expected that they will be able to replace fossil fuels. Biofuel is a raw material obtained by processing biological waste. New research in the field of bioenergy is also being conducted in our country. Specialists from the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and other specialized institutions are effectively working in this direction. Currently, scientists are considering the possibilities of wastewater treatment and the use of algae to generate renewable energy.

Turkmenistan has also achieved significant success in international cooperation in the transition to a green economy. The economic strategy of our country, aimed at introducing the most modern innovative technologies of developed countries into production and, ultimately, achieving waste-free and environmentally friendly production, is bearing fruit.

Orazgeldy Saparov,
a deputy of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, member of the Mejlis Committee on Environment Protection, Nature Management and the Agro-Industrial Complex