As a result of the increase in population and production rates, the economy continues to develop. When implementing large-scale projects aimed at improving the social and living conditions of people and strengthening the economy, the issue of ensuring environmental safety arises. Therefore, issues of improving the well-being of the environment and preserving its natural structure attract the attention of the world community. This has especially increased in recent years.

One of the important conditions for ensuring environmental well-being is closely related to the fact that newly created plants are equipped with the latest scientific achievements and brought into line with world standards. In independent and permanently neutral Turkmenistan, special attention is paid to solving this problem. When implementing large-scale projects, all the conditions and requirements necessary for its successful implementation are taken into account.

As is known, the plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas, built and commissioned in the Ahal velayat with the blessing of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, is the most advanced industrial complex. This important investment project is a visible result and specific step of Turkmenistan towards implementing the country’s energy strategy. The main directions of this strategy are the formation of a multilateral energy export system, the radical modernization of the fuel and energy complex, its development through diversification and the production of environmentally friendly goods in the sector on an industrial scale. Turkmenistan is the only country in the world that has managed to introduce such a production method. This plant is capable of processing 1 billion 785 million cubic meters of “blue fuel” a year, producing environmentally friendly synthetic motor fuel from natural gas on an industrial scale.

As the Hero-Arkadag notes, by implementing such unprecedented projects, we create the necessary conditions for our country to become one of the most active centers for the development of a promising green economy for the whole world.

Our Esteemed President successfully continues the initiatives of the Hero-Arkadag to diversify the sectors of the national economy, to introduce high technologies in production and to deeply process hydrocarbons. These specific initiatives are also clearly reflected in the field of environmental well-being. Turkmenistan attaches great importance to ensuring environmental well-being, including the transition to green energy. As part of the work carried out in this area, measures to reduce methane emissions into the environment are being actively taken. In his historic speech at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), held in Dubai (UAE), the President of Turkmenistan announced the accession of our country, making a significant contribution to international efforts to reduce methane emissions, to the Global Methane Pledge and the continuation of active cooperation with international organizations and partner countries to address climate issues.

As the head of state noted, taking into account the recommendations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and with the active support of the UN Development Program, our country had developed and approved the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Turkmenistan under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in May 2022. This strategic document provides for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 compared to 2010 levels. The main greenhouse gases on the planet are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. Methane is the third most significant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. It is the second source of global warming after carbon dioxide. An increase in the concentration of methane in the atmosphere leads to an increase in global temperature and an increase in the greenhouse effect. Turkmenistan intends to implement a set of measures in the near future to reduce methane emissions, to capture methane gas, to turn it into a valuable and environmentally friendly source of energy and to implement effective measures for its rational use.

To achieve these goals, the transition to the introduction and use of environmentally friendly and resource-saving technologies in the oil and gas, energy, transport and other sectors is being successfully carried out on a systematic basis. It is also worth noting the effective work carried out by researchers at the Natural Gas Research Institute to reduce methane emissions from an open gas crater at the Çaljulba field of the Zakli-Derweze complex of hydrocarbon deposits in the Central Karakum Desert. In order to reduce gas production in this crater, production wells were drilled near it, from which high-quality clean gas flows were obtained, as a result of which the volume of gas emissions from the crater was reduced by two times.

When implementing large projects in the country, the main condition is compliance with ecology and environment protection requirements. Under the leadership of our esteemed President, exemplary work is being carried out in this sphere in Turkmenistan. The effective work carried out not only meets national interests, but is also of international importance.

Mammet MAMMEDOV,

Nebit-gaz