Enhancing Prospects for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan through Joint Climate Change and Energy Security Action
Enhancing Prospects for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan through Joint Climate Change and Energy Security Action
A joint policy brief by experts from Armenia and Azerbaijan
Introduction
This Policy Brief outlines practical ways in which environmental and energy cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan could foster regional stability and peace amid the looming impacts of climate change. Collaboration on shared resources could mitigate the negative impacts of cross-border environmental challenges while fostering mutual trust, thereby reducing the risk of future conflicts. Joint efforts to produce and transmit renewable and non-renewable energy resources could further promote regional stability by strengthening energy security and deepening economic interconnectivity.
Joint action on climate change is becoming increasingly urgent in the South Caucasus, especially between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both countries face serious economic, social, and political risks from climate impacts, including rising temperatures, reduced precipitation, desertification, extreme weather, water scarcity, and the spread of diseases. Armenia and Azerbaijan are also likely to face challenges affecting energy dependence and security, although in different ways. These challenges are likely to strain resources, heighten tensions, and increase the potential for conflict within and between these two nations. To mitigate climate change impacts, enhance energy security, and reduce the risk of conflict, cooperation is crucial, particularly as Armenia and Azerbaijan navigate a fragile post-conflict environment.
The Policy Brief proposes five actionable policy options to promote environmental and energy cooperation. Their implementation would create platforms for government representatives, experts, and civil society members and organisations to jointly study, deliberate, and negotiate through technical and economic communication channels, fostering mutual understanding, confidence building, and reconciliation through shared problem solving.
After discussing these policy options, the Policy Brief concludes by summarising the key take-aways from this important discussion.
About the authors
Dr Anar Ahmadov (PhD, LSE) is Associate Professor of Political Economy, Leiden University; Netherlands. He has held research and teaching positions at Princeton University, Oxford University, London School of Economics (LSE), and Khazar University. For over twenty years, he has also worked as a consultant, analyst, and executive in international development. He has taught over thirty executive education and capacity building seminars for public sector executives and analysts from Central Eurasia on sustainable energy management, economic development, conflict resolution, and policy impact evaluation.
Dr Agha Bayramov is Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations and International Organization, University of Groningen; Netherlands. He lectures on Energy Security and Climate Change, as well as International Organization. Besides teaching and research, he is one of the co-organisers of the Podcast “A Global Perspective on European Politics”. His research interests are energy security, geopolitics, the Caspian Sea region, the Karabakh conflict, and climate change. Dr Bayramov has conducted extensive field research in the Caspian Sea region. He was previously a research fellow at the Center for Eastern European Studies at the University of Zurich, and received his PhD from the University of Groningen.
Dr Tatul Manaseryan is Head of Research Center ALTERNATIVE; Armenia. He is a Doctor of Science and Professor who teaches World Economy and Economic Security at the Yerevan State University. He is also a former Member of Parliament of Armenia (2003-2007) and served as an Advisor to the Speaker of the Parliament (2009-2011). He has lived and worked in the USA, Canada, Thailand, Belgium, Italy, China, and other countries. Dr Manaseryan conferred “Excellence in Teaching” Award from the University of Redlands in California, USA. He has published extensively on global trends and developments, the new economic order, regional and trans-regional cooperation, economic security and economic diplomacy, and emerging market economies. Dr Manaseryan is the Editor-in-chief of the Quarterly Academic Journal ALTERNATIVE and the Head of Research Center ALTERNATIVE, headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia with branches in Northridge, California, Lecce, Italy and Antwerp, Belgium.
Dr Arman Martirosyan is Associate Professor, Doctor of Science and Economics; Armenia. He is an Associate Professor and lecturer with over 24 years of experience at various universities. He has delivered lectures, coached, and worked in numerous countries including Armenia, the USA, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, and others. In his more than 16 handbooks and monographs, he has analyzed the institutional aspects of microeconomics, macroeconomics, psychological management, and marketing processes in the economy. Additionally, he has published over 65 articles in Armenia, England, Poland, Germany, Austria, and other countries, focusing on issues related to economic security and economic development. In recent years, considering global warming and environmental (pollution) problems, he has especially emphasized these aspects of economic development and planetary security.
Disclamer: The views, information and opinions expressed in this publication are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of the GCSP or the members of its Foundation Council. The GCSP is not responsible for the accuracy of the information.