Air quality policies in Azerbaijan

This document is an Azerbaijan Air Quality Overview, based on research conducted by UNEP in 2015, detailing country-level policies that impact air quality. The nation is vulnerable to air pollution, historically stemming from its developed oil and gas industry and Soviet-era industrialized cities. Air quality challenges are dominated by transport emissions, which are accountable for almost 80% of air pollution. In response, Azerbaijan has implemented measures including the passage to the Euro IV standard in 2014 and the prohibition of importing cars manufactured before 2005. Fuel quality has been addressed, restricting Sulphur content in diesel and gasoline to 30ppm, and all vehicles use lead free gasoline. The regulatory framework is anchored by the law on ambient air protection N 109-IIQ/27.03.2001, although national standards are still largely based on Soviet-period GOSTs. Emissions from stationary sources, including industries like petroleum, cement, and petrochemicals, require special permission. Industrial clean-up has involved cancelling Soviet-era industrial facilities and moving outdated facilities out of Baku City. Fossil fuels generate 80% of the country’s installed electricity capacity, but renewable energy is promoted via a State Programme approved in 2004, offering incentives like VAT exemptions for wind power installations. Indoor air quality relies heavily on natural gas and electricity; the nation has achieved 100% electrification, and a gasification policy has reduced wood use to almost zero in 85% of households. Despite efforts, WHO estimates that outdoor air pollution causes 3,800 premature deaths annually, and indoor air pollution causes 6,200 premature deaths annually. Open burning of municipal and agricultural waste is also a challenge, though a waste-to-energy plant has been built to process municipal solid waste.