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.