Our experience

Setting the scene

In addition to the effects of climate change, Azerbaijan faces many ecological challenges. Decades of oil extraction in the Absheron Peninsula and Caspian Sea, mass extermination of flora and fauna in disputed territories and the contamination of their freshwater reserves in neighboring countries have all had an impact on the economic and social life of the country.  

The Ministry of Ecology and National Resources implements state policy related to environmental protection and natural resources. Their goal is to ensure sustainable development through the protection of ecological systems, economic potential and the rational use of natural resources in order to protect present and future generations. 

Prior to consultation from PwC and UNDP, some management challenges within the Ministry were identified. Divisions were spread across the country, creating a need for administration resources at each location and the duplication of functions. This limited the institutional capacity and stunted the ability to effectively manage the Ministry. 

Recognizing that this limited their ability to provide citizens with a healthy and sustainable environment, the Ministry wanted to optimize the management system. 

How we helped

PwC worked with UNDP and the Ministry to perform a diagnostic of the existing Ministry structure, prepare reformation recommendations, and create a road map for implementing the changes. 

A team of organizational and environmental experts with background or experience resulting from working with public sector institutions, Ministries and Public Sector bodies from PwC gathered data and analyzed the results. From June to September 2018, the multidisciplinary team:

• held over 35 individual interviews with officials from several countries. 

• analyzed of more than 100 legislative acts and documents. 

• held regular working group meetings and consultative sessions; and

• performed benchmarking analysis with other countries (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Norway and Sweden).

The in-depth research focused on the existing structure of the Ministry at different management levels, the institutional mandate and the relationship and distribution of tasks between the Ministry and the institutions under it. 

In October 2018, PwC and UNDP presented the Ministry with their Final Report. As a result of the research, it detailed recommendations on regulation, optimization and the functioning of their divisions. 

Impact and potential

Following PwC’s final report, the President of Azerbaijan signed a decree to optimize the organizational structure and management of the Ministry of Ecology and National Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan on January 16, 2019. 

Since then, the Ministry has taken steps to implement both the short- and long-term changes to create clear and transparent processes, including a digitization process. Developing an e-government and IT platform allows for open data portals to provide citizens with easy, transparent access to information. 

The digital platform will store data on regulations and public norms such as air pollution and waste for citizens. It provides a central location for environmental information holders and stakeholders to collaborate, share information and communicate effectively and promptly. 

The improvement of information sharing is just one step the Ministry has taken and continues to take to foster collaboration and efficiently structure their processes. The Ministry of Ecology and National Resources is creating the foundation to ensure environmental factors are prioritized in political decision making to effectively address ecological challenges and ensure a sustainable future for citizens.