US expert praises Baku's water atlas and sustainability efforts

Carlo Stella, Head of Global Sustainability Practice at US-based consulting firm Arthur D. Little, expressed strong support for Azerbaijan's water atlas and mapping initiatives during Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025), Report informs.

He described the water atlas as "a highly successful initiative" that brings together all of the country's water resources - including infrastructure, surface, and underground sources - into a unified geographic information system.

"In addition to traditional sources, wastewater is a valuable resource," Stella said. "Its use offers an effective solution for agriculture, especially in densely urbanized areas. To do this, we must expand wastewater treatment infrastructure."

He also highlighted progress in desalination technologies:

"Desalination has made great strides in efficiency, but the process remains expensive. That's why blending desalinated water with treated wastewater is often a more rational solution."

Stella noted that in Gulf countries, the cost of desalination has fallen by 10–25% over the past five years, depending on plant capacity. "Further cost reductions are possible, but electricity prices remain a key factor. That's why contracts for renewable energy are critical in determining the actual cost of water production," he said.

He concluded by stressing the need to reduce wasteful consumption:

"We must pay attention to the amount of waste we generate through consumption. Otherwise, our resources will be depleted at an alarming rate."