The principles of the inextricable connection of nature with the lives and health of humankind lie at the heart of humanism. In the 21st century, major global projects are being implemented to understand the essence of harmony between humans and nature, to create innovations and to discover new things to maintain the necessary closeness, unity and integrity between humans and the environment. The desire to protect nature and the development and implementation of scientifically sound projects through the organization of special events are widely considered a noble cause.

Every new day, every breath we take, every moment we live can be a source of pride for the blessing of living on Earth – the common heritage of all people worldwide. Comfortable living conditions for people in our common home, the planet Earth, a favorable climate and the smooth cycle of seasons depend in part on people’s respectful attitude toward nature. 

As the head of our state notes, “The state is for the people!” is not just our motto, but an essential, defining vector of Turkmenistan’s political and social life, a pillar of activities of the people and state in ensuring environmental security not only within the region but also globally.

As is well known, at the dawn of history, humanity utilized all the best and most beneficial elements nature could offer: natural light (sun, day and night), natural air temperatures (cold, heat, warmth and coolness) and natural water sources (springs, rivers and streams). People used trees, stones and sand to build houses. A rational approach ensured consistently clean air, the harmless use of natural resources and a closer connection between people and nature. 

Today, with the rapid development of technology, people are becoming increasingly dependent on it. While we are proud of the rapid advancement of science and technology, we must not neglect the opportunities to directly utilize the conditions created by nature in our daily lives. Growing human needs lead to enormous expenditures on the search, production and creation of essential goods and to the consumption of vast quantities of minerals and deposits.

The introduction of green energy into our lives is a pressing need of our time, as environmental issues become increasingly important. The use of green energy is well known to significantly reduce atmospheric emissions, as it is produced naturally from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, waves and geothermal heat. 

In Turkmenistan, where the leitmotif of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s motto, “The Motherland is the Motherland only with the people! The state is a state only with the people!”, ambitious programs and projects, aimed at ensuring a peaceful and prosperous life in environmentally friendly conditions for the peoples and nations, states and populations of the region, continent and the entire world, are being implemented. Our country is making significant efforts to address energy issues related to climate change by producing more reliable, healthier and cleaner energy, such as renewable energy sources. Significant steps are also being taken to reduce emissions of harmful gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, to combat global warming. 

Environmentally friendly technologies are being implemented in all sectors of the national economy – fuel and energy, agriculture and others. For example, the systematic implementation of new environmentally friendly technologies at oil refineries, the commissioning of the world’s first plant in the Ahal velayat to produce clean fuel from natural gas and ongoing organizational work in this area can be noted.  

It is also worth noting that Turkmenistan has adopted the National Climate Change Strategy, officially joined the Paris Agreement and the global pledge to reduce methane emissions at COP 28 in Dubai. Turkmenistan has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels. The primary goal for the future is to achieve net-zero emissions. Based on these goals, Turkmenistan’s National Climate Change Strategy, along with programs such as the National Strategy of the Development of Renewable Energy in Turkmenistan up to 2030 and the Law of Turkmenistan “On Renewable Energy Sources”, are an unquestionable guarantee of a secure and prosperous future. 

Our country also strives to maintain a balance between energy development and environment protection. Today, successful examples of the transition to green energy in the electric power system, which is so essential to the daily life of our country, include the construction of a multifunctional solar-wind power plant in the Gyzylarbat etrap of the Balkan velayat, which suggests that work is already well underway, and the launch of electric public transportation in the city of Arkadag. Turkmenistan places great emphasis on developing renewable energy sources, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions, increasing the processing of associated petroleum gas and reducing losses during natural gas transportation. 

Turkmenistan actively participates in the activities of the European Union in expanding international cooperation on sustainable development. Turkmenistan’s commitment to developing cooperation with European countries on the green and climate agenda is confirmed by the new project of the German Agency for International Cooperation “EU for a Green Turkmenistan: Political Dialogue and Action to Combat Climate Change 2024–2028”, which has supplied the Information and Analysis Center, established at the Natural Gas Research Institute of the Türkmengaz State Concern, with modern equipment. The Information and Analysis Center will contribute to the advanced training and potential development of specialists at the Türkmengaz State Concern and the Natural Gas Research Institute through measures such as advanced training, program development and training courses. 

Furthermore, the Center provides practical experience with advanced IT equipment and measuring instruments, such as LDAR (Leak Detection and Response), and enhances the skills of specialists in collecting, processing and analyzing methane emissions data from various international satellite sources. 

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, Clausthal University of Technology and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany, laying the foundation for future cooperation with international scientific organizations in the field of energy. 

In his speech at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in the Avaza national tourism zone in August of the current year, the head of the Turkmen state proposed opening a discussion on developing a global program for the transition to hydrogen energy for the 2030–2040 period.

It is the sacred duty of each of us to conserve our existing resources and to treat them as our own. Today, each of us understands that our goal, to leave a legacy of a protected clean biosphere and ecology for future generations, is not only a good intention, but also a necessity. 

Our Motherland, independent and neutral Turkmenistan, founded on the principles of Turkmen statehood, under the leadership of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov is carrying out colossal work to ensure that all peoples, nations and states of the world can live in peace, friendship and harmony, breathe clean air, achieve their goals and be confident in a bright future.

Bayramsoltan GURBANOVA,
Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department, Repair, Adjustment and Electrical Installation Directorate, Nebitgazburawlayiş Trust, Türkmennebit State Concern