Evergreen, no.12, pp.1167-1176, 2025 (Scopus)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the transformation of production systems in Azerbaijan in the context of the introduction of green economy principles. The research highlights significant progress in managing water resources, improving water use efficiency, and enhancing waste management. Statistical data indicate that between 1990 and 2022, the water intake from natural resources decreased by 14%, while the volume of recycled water increased by 63%, reflecting greater resource efficiency. Additionally, the ratio of safely treated wastewater rose by 12.6 percentage points, from 43.6% in 2016 to 56.2% in 2022, demonstrating improvements in water treatment practices. Despite these successes, challenges remain, particularly in the management of increasing waste volumes, which have grown by 222% from 2000 to 2022. The study concludes that while Azerbaijan has made substantial strides towards a green economy, further efforts are required to address the waste management issues and to continue improving resource efficiency, with an emphasis on strengthening collaboration between public authorities and private enterprises. Keywords: external environment; latest technologies; resource efficiency; sustainable development; wsaste minimisation