BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. The European
Commission has positively assessed its current climate cooperation
with Turkmenistan, while underlining the need for further action,
particularly in reducing methane emissions, a Commission official
told Trend.

“Turkmenistan is one of the world’s largest emitters of methane.
Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest and most
cost-effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions,” the
Commission representative said.

According to him, this will help Ashgabat to deliver on the
Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge.

“In this context, the Commission values our fruitful cooperation
under the “EU for a Green Turkmenistan: Policy Dialogue and
Climate Action 2024–2029″ programme implemented by GIZ,
including the pilot methane mitigation measures. The project
recently received an EU funding top-up of €2 million (January 2026)
and has been extended until 2029.”

The representative expressed that the Commission looks forward
to seeing how the additional support will further strengthen the
programme’s efforts in sustainable green development, climate
adaptation, and methane reduction in Turkmenistan.

“Turkmenistan has significant potential for renewable energy,
particularly wind and solar, and the country can send a strong
political signal by setting ambitious renewable energy targets.
Increasing the share of renewables, combined with greater
electrification of heat and industry, would help advance climate
action in the country,” he noted.

The official also acknowledged that the Commission welcomes
Turkmenistan’s willingness to take action to reduce methane
emissions, including by joining the Global Methane Pledge.

“At the same time, we would encourage Turkmenistan to further
scale up its efforts and position itself as a regional leader in
this area,” he concluded.

Earlier in February, Turkmen Ambassador to Belgium Sapar
Palvanov held talks with Deputy Director-General of the European
Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action Jan Dusik, where
the sides discussed expanding cooperation on climate and energy
issues, including within the framework of the EU’s “Green
Turkmenistan” programme and broader efforts on methane reduction
and environmental modernization.