Azerbaijan encounters early blunders in its attempts to stage an eco-friendly exhibition
Off the coast of Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, towering oil rigs serve as constant reminders of the nation's reliance on fossil fuels to fuel its economy. This year, however, this oil-rich nation faces a test as it prepares to host the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, amidst growing concerns over global warming and its own commitment to green policies.
The announcement that Azerbaijan would host COP29 has sparked heated debates among climate activists and human rights advocates who question the country's dedication to climate-friendly policies while still relying on fossil fuel revenues and pursuing a crackdown on internal dissent. The selection of Azerbaijan comes just a year after similar concerns were raised about hosting the conference in the United Arab Emirates.
"This is an economy that thrives on oil and gas," said Kate Watters, director of Crude Accountability, a human rights and environmental watchdog for the Caspian Basin. She added that the country remains behind in its international commitments as it has yet to sign the Global Methane Pledge - an agreement aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel producers.
Despite numerous requests for comment, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained tight-lipped.
Azerbaijan faced flak for its initial handling of the conference. In early January, the government appointed Mukhtar Babayev, a former state oil company employee, as the conference's president. Following a media backlash, the president swiftly appointed 12 women to the organizing committee to calm turmoil.
Hosting the annual climate change conference offers a nation the opportunity to boost its reputation and shape the global climate agenda. However, as Tom Pegram, director of the Global Governance Institute at University College London, points out, respect for human rights can often take a back seat to climate justice concerns. In some ways, it's like trying to mix oil and water.
This is particularly concerning considering the political climate in Baku. Last year, authorities detained numerous journalists from independent media organizations. The country held a presidential election in February, which was widely viewed as stage-managed and marred by irregularities. Tensions over human rights concerns, political issues, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue to fuel conflict with the Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe.
COP29 represents an opportunity for Azerbaijan to reset its image and downplay its human rights issues. The country is working to position itself as a major supplier of energy exports to Europe, especially since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which could help in achieving a reset. However, the country's existing gas infrastructure limits its export potential, and its Caspian Sea oil reserves are projected to be depleted within 25 years. Last year, the country's oil production decreased by 7.4%, while gas production increased. Future energy export challenges are likely a major factor in prompting the country to adopt "green growth" as one of its five pillars of development by 2030.
While it's too early to determine how Azeri leaders will showcase COP29, investments in renewable energy offer insight. In 2022, the country secured $114 million in loans from European and Asian sources to fund the construction of a solar power plant by a state-owned Emirati firm in the country's east. This not only supports Azerbaijan's decarbonization agenda but also contributes to European energy security by freeing up more domestic gas for exports.
However, concerns remain that the country lacks a plan to wean itself off fossil fuel export dependency, especially as demand continues to grow. "There's a political economy reality now which is really coming up against the optimal or the ideal objectives within the climate action agenda," Pegram said. "And Azerbaijan can take advantage of that, perhaps."
- The business of Azerbaijan heavily relies on its oil and gas industry, a reality highlighted by the towering oil rigs off Baku's coast.
- Amidst growing concerns over climate change and global warming, Azerbaijan faces criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels as it prepares to host COP29.
- The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan has sparked heated debates, with critics questioning the country's dedication to climate-friendly policies.
- Kate Watters, director of Crude Accountability, expressed concern about Azerbaijan's failure to sign the Global Methane Pledge, an agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel producers.
- The selection of Azerbaijan for COP29 mirrors similar concerns raised about hosting the conference in the United Arab Emirates last year.
- Despite numerous requests for comment, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained tight-lipped about the country's preparation for COP29.
- The appointment of Mukhtar Babayev, a former state oil company employee, as the conference's president initially faced criticism, leading to the addition of 12 women to the organizing committee.
- Hosting COP29 provides a nation with an opportunity to boost its reputation and shape the global climate agenda, but human rights concerns can often take a back seat, as seen in the political climate of Baku.
- As Azerbaijan aims to position itself as a major energy exporter to Europe, particularly due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it has identified "green growth" as one of its five pillars of development by 2030, signaling investments in renewable energy.
