Green energy transition requires effective legal regulation, expert says

Transition from the oil and gas sector to green energy requires the establishment of effective legal regulatory mechanisms, according to Hummat Aliyev, Head of the Legal Committee of the Board of Directors of the Guba Business Support Platform.

Report quotes him as saying at the event "Dialogue on a Just Transition: Ensuring a Fair Transition to a Green Economy in Azerbaijan" that retraining oil and gas professionals for careers in the renewable energy sector would require substantial legal support.

"For many years, Azerbaijan's state budget has relied heavily on revenues from the oil and gas sector. As a result, many young people have chosen careers in this industry and pursued relevant education. Retraining these specialists to work in green energy will therefore require a strong legal framework," he said.

Aliyev also stressed the importance of maintaining gender balance as new jobs are created in the green economy.

He noted that the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects requires significant land resources, raising issues related to changes in land designation and the use of municipally, state-, and privately owned land.

"All of these processes must fully comply with Azerbaijan's land and property legislation. The interests of local residents and communities must not be compromised. Any changes in land use should be regulated by law," he said.

Aliyev further emphasized the need for rigorous legal review during the construction of infrastructure and the organization of logistics, including comprehensive environmental impact assessments.