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Highlights
- Azerbaijan hosts COP29 while boosting fossil fuel exports, sparking greenwashing critiques.
- EU-Azerbaijan gas deal underscores Azerbaijan’s key role in Europe's energy security.
- Activists criticize Azerbaijan’s limited progress on climate and environmental goals.
This week, Azerbaijan, one of the oldest oil-producing nations globally, is set to host COP29 in its capital, Baku. Known for its historical ties to fossil fuels, Azerbaijan’s hosting of the climate conference has drawn international attention and scrutiny, especially regarding the country’s environmental commitments and recent accusations of “greenwashing.”
Azerbaijan’s energy narrative is steeped in history. Baku, where COP29 will convene, was home to the world’s first oil fields in 1846, and until 1899, the city remained the largest global oil exporter. Today, oil pump jacks are scattered across the cityscape, reflecting Azerbaijan’s ongoing role as a major fossil fuel exporter. Beyond oil, Azerbaijan boasts the Shah Deniz field, one of the world's largest natural gas reserves, which has become increasingly vital for Europe as the continent aims to reduce its dependency on Russian energy sources.
Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) established a deal with Azerbaijan to double gas imports by 2027, a move that positions Azerbaijan as a critical player in Europe’s energy landscape. However, the shift towards renewable energy remains largely symbolic, as Azerbaijan’s leaders, including President Ilham Aliyev, emphasize that any renewable initiatives will support natural gas savings, which can then be exported to European markets at higher costs. Aliyev has stated that with more renewable energy sources, Azerbaijan can “save natural gas” for export, underlining the economic motivations behind the country’s energy strategy.
Despite Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote a climate-friendly image, environmental and human rights advocates argue that these initiatives are primarily surface-level. Critics note that Aliyev’s government has stifled environmental monitoring and done little to address pollution from oil production, particularly near residential zones, where residents report adverse health impacts. A report from Global Witness highlighted a 10.5% increase in gas flaring in Azerbaijani oil and gas facilities since 2018, indicating that emissions continue to grow rather than decrease.
Azerbaijan’s climate agenda faces additional scrutiny, with climate scientists labeling the country’s emissions reduction goals as “critically insufficient.” The focus on green policies is further questioned by Azerbaijan’s limited progress on its promised climate initiatives, raising doubts about the country’s commitment to significant environmental change.
At COP29, discussions will center on new climate finance targets to support adaptation efforts in vulnerable countries and the advancement of carbon credit markets. Azerbaijan’s Environment Minister, Mukhtar Babayev, has voiced an intention to build on previous agreements to transition from fossil fuels, although specific strategies have yet to be disclosed.
Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 underscores a complex relationship with fossil fuels, as it follows in the footsteps of other oil-rich nations, such as last year’s host, the United Arab Emirates. While the country touts its environmental progress, critics argue that the green agenda is more of a public relations exercise than a genuine shift towards sustainable practices.
