COP29/ Azerbaijan climate summit/ fossil fuel deals/ climate greenwashing/ European gas dependence/ Global Witness investigation/ Newslooks/ AZERBAIJAN/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan, an advocacy group claims that Azerbaijani officials were open to fossil fuel deals, raising concerns about their commitment to green energy. Azerbaijan, an oil-rich nation, faces scrutiny as it hosts the world’s premier climate summit while promoting its gas exports, exposing the tension between its green pledges and fossil fuel reliance.
COP29 Host Azerbaijan Promotes Fossil Fuel Deals Quick Looks
- Fossil fuel deals ahead of COP29: NGO claims Azerbaijani officials offered to facilitate oil deals just before the climate summit.
- History of oil dependency: Azerbaijan, a leading oil producer since the 1800s, relies heavily on fossil fuel exports.
- Concerns about greenwashing: Advocacy groups allege Azerbaijan’s renewable energy efforts are insufficient and primarily for image.
- Europe’s dependence on Azerbaijani gas: As European gas supplies dwindled post-Ukraine invasion, Azerbaijan boosted gas exports to the EU.
COP29 Host Azerbaijan Criticized for Fossil Fuel Deals Ahead of Climate Summit
Deep Look
As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, an investigation by the nonprofit Global Witness has raised serious concerns about the host country’s commitment to combating climate change. The advocacy group, which works to expose corruption and environmental harm, claims that Azerbaijani officials appeared willing to discuss new fossil fuel investments just days before the United Nations climate summit. A secret video recorded by Global Witness allegedly shows an official from Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency offering to help facilitate oil and gas deals for a fake company set up by the NGO.
Azerbaijan’s Fossil Fuel Legacy
Azerbaijan has a storied history as an oil-rich nation. The Caspian Sea region, with its vast fossil fuel reserves, has long fueled Azerbaijan’s economy, with nearly all its exports centered on oil and gas. The small nation, once part of the Soviet Union, sits strategically between Iran and Russia, and its oil industry dates back to 1846 when the world’s first oil fields were developed in Baku. President Ilham Aliyev, who has ruled Azerbaijan for over 20 years, often praises the nation’s fossil fuels, once referring to them as a “gift of the gods.”
The extensive reliance on oil and gas exports has sparked concerns that Azerbaijan’s recent commitment to green energy is more public relations than policy. As Aliyev hosts this high-profile climate conference, critics argue that Baku’s green ambitions fall short of true climate action. They point to the stark signs of fossil fuel production in Baku, from metal cages holding oil pumpjacks to rigs operating near historic sites like the Bibi Heybat mosque.
COP29’s Symbolism and Skepticism
Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 comes amid heightened scrutiny from the international community. Many climate advocates question whether a country with such deep ties to fossil fuels can genuinely lead discussions on green energy transitions. Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s environment minister and former vice president of the state-owned energy company SOCAR, is set to lead the conference. He has asserted that COP29 will focus on implementing commitments to reduce global emissions, particularly through renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power in the Karabakh region.
However, critics, including Global Witness, label Azerbaijan’s claims as greenwashing—a façade of environmentalism meant to distract from its ongoing fossil fuel expansion. The nonprofit highlights that gas flaring, which releases methane and soot, has increased by 10.5% in Azerbaijan since 2018, worsening emissions and health issues for residents near oil facilities.
Europe’s Dependence on Azerbaijani Gas
Azerbaijan’s geopolitical importance has surged since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted Europe’s energy supply. Previously reliant on Russian gas, European countries have turned to Azerbaijan’s reserves to fill the gap. In 2022, the European Union signed a deal with Azerbaijan to double gas imports to 20 billion cubic meters annually by 2027. President Aliyev has positioned this as an opportunity for his country, emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s domestic renewable energy push could help conserve gas for exports through the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe.
This reliance on Azerbaijani gas highlights a core tension of COP29: how to transition away from fossil fuels when energy demands continue to rise, especially in Europe. Azerbaijani officials argue that criticism of their fossil fuel industry is unfair, given the global demand, yet environmental groups claim that such expansion directly contradicts the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Environmental and Social Criticisms
Aliyev has declared that hosting COP29 is a “sign of respect” from the global community, but Azerbaijan’s environmental record raises concerns. Under Aliyev’s rule, the government has cracked down on civil society, stifling the voices of activists who might otherwise highlight the environmental impact of oil and gas production. Kate Watters, executive director of Crude Accountability, explains that Azerbaijan’s oppressive policies make it challenging for citizens to voice concerns about environmental pollution and health risks associated with oil production.
One such area of concern is the Sangachal oil and gas terminal, where residents report health issues ranging from skin rashes to respiratory illness, allegedly linked to pollutants from nearby oil activities. With no mechanisms in place for local residents to raise environmental alarms, these issues often go unaddressed.
A Question of Authenticity for COP29
Louis Wilson of Global Witness argues that Azerbaijan’s approach to climate diplomacy lacks authenticity, citing increased fossil fuel production and ineffective emission controls. Analysis by Global Witness reveals that Azerbaijan’s gas flaring contributes significantly to carbon dioxide and methane emissions, undermining its credibility on the world stage. In 2023, Azerbaijan submitted a climate action plan rated as “critically insufficient” by climate scientists, though the country is expected to provide an updated version at COP29.
For many climate experts, Azerbaijan’s dual role as both a fossil fuel powerhouse and the host of COP29 raises doubts about the conference’s efficacy. This year’s summit spotlights not only Azerbaijan’s own climate pledges but also the broader dilemma facing nations that rely heavily on fossil fuels. As Baku prepares to welcome world leaders to discuss the future of energy, it’s uncertain whether Azerbaijan’s actions will align with the goals of transitioning toward a greener, less carbon-dependent future.
