BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. The
International Road Transport Union (IRU) aims to transform the
Middle Corridor into a top-tier transport route, Secretary General
of the IRU Umberto de Pretto told Trend in an exclusive interview on
the sidelines of COP29.
“The IRU is actively cooperating with the Government of
Azerbaijan to explore opportunities to improve border crossings
along the Middle Corridor. Our goal is to transform the Middle
Corridor into a top-tier transport route. This will optimize the
transportation of goods from China to the EU through Azerbaijan,
significantly reducing waiting times at the border. Reduced waiting
time, in turn, will lead to a 90 percent reduction in carbon
dioxide emissions, which is critical. We are working closely with
your government, the Ministry of Transport, and the Customs Service
to develop effective solutions that are both environmentally
friendly and efficient,” he noted.
De Pretto also noted that public transportation has become a
high priority in Baku. He emphasized that he was impressed by the
initiative to place diagrams on the back of buses showing that one
bus replaces dozens of cars.
“In fact, per passenger kilometer, buses are 82 percent more CO2
efficient than cars,” he said.
The Secretary-General pointed out that the IRU has developed a
strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050—the Green Approach.
This plan aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by improving
efficiency and adopting environmentally friendly technologies.
According to him, it is already possible to reduce emissions by
50 percent within the framework of the strategy. Among the key
measures are driver training, which reduces emissions by 15
percent, and the use of eco-trucks, which reduces emissions by 30
percent. Additional attention is being paid to improving
aerodynamics and logistics processes.
“Significant emission reductions shortly are achievable.
However, achieving the remaining 50% will be the most challenging
task, requiring a transformation of energy systems. The IRU
continues to work on new solutions to ensure sustainable transport
and contribute to the global fight against climate change,” he
said.
He stressed the necessity of immediate action in the fight
against climate change.
“There are measures that can be introduced today and cannot be
postponed. It is good that we have ambitious targets, but now it is
important to move from words to deeds. Achieving carbon neutrality
by 2050 is not a sprint but a marathon. That is why we need to
start this marathon now. It requires constant hard work,
perseverance, and energy expenditure. At each stage, we must
achieve concrete results. Let’s start with what we can do today and
build on these efforts, working together with governments and other
partners,” he noted.
