Azerbaijan Railways says it cut carbon emissions by 50% over the past year

Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by around 50% over the past year, the company’s chairman Rovshan Rustamov said on Thursday.

He said the company is preparing a full-scale investment programme based on renewable energy sources for railway infrastructure, adding that the project will address not only technical components but also financial, economic, environmental and social factors.

Rustamov noted that the initiative comes as Azerbaijan strengthens its role as a strategic transport hub along the East–West and North–South corridors. He said the competitiveness of the rail system amid rising freight volumes depends on its efficiency, reliability and environmental performance.

“Over the past year, we have reduced natural gas emissions by roughly 50%, 63% of our rail network has been electrified, and more than 80% of freight transport last year was carried out by electric locomotives,” he added.

Aytaj Zeynalova