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Ministry: Heat waves have increased significantly in Baku over the past 10 years

Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Umayra Taghiyeva

17 October 2025 11:20 (UTC +04:00)

Heatwaves have been identified as one of the main climate risks by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Umayra Taghiyeva during a panel discussion at the "III National Urban Forum" held in Baku, APA-Economics reports.

She noted that, taking into account all these risks and challenges, adaptation plays a key role in ensuring the resilience of cities and communities: “Considering the serious problems related to climate factors, we are closely cooperating with the Ministry of Health to assess the impact of extreme temperatures on human health.”

U. Taghiyeva stated that the vulnerability index assessment for Azerbaijan was carried out within the framework of the preliminary national adaptation plan: “One part of the national adaptation plan is the correlation between maximum air temperature and overall mortality rates in Baku. The comfortable temperature range for human health is generally between 24–28 degrees. When the temperature exceeds 36 degrees, mortality rates increase sharply. Early warning is an important tool in reducing these risks. Through observation, scientific research, and appropriate measures, we can manage the consequences of climate change. I am confident that early warning is an effective adaptation measure. Because adaptation is not an abstract concept, it requires concrete actions to be taken before, during, and after an event.”

She noted that special attention has been given to assessing the impact of heatwaves in major cities in Azerbaijan: “Here I will present just two examples: Sheki and Baku. In recent decades, heatwaves in these cities have increased significantly. As you know, the population in these cities is the most vulnerable group to heatwaves.”

U. Taghiyeva stated that in coordination with the Ministry of Ecology, the Institute of Geography, and the Ministry of Health, a methodology has been developed for medical-meteorological forecasts and warnings: “As a result of applying these tools during hot periods, the number of emergency calls with diagnoses of heatstroke and sunstroke has been significantly reduced. Although the number of hot days has increased, compared to past decades when the population lived without special warnings, the number of emergency calls has decreased considerably.”