Azerbaijan is gearing up to host the COP29 climate talks in Baku, a critical global summit that aims to address climate change. Mukhtar Babayev, the president of the talks, believes that Azerbaijan is well-suited to host the summit due to its strategic location between Russia and Iran, as well as its history as a major oil and gas producer. The country, known as the “world’s first oil town,” has made significant investments in renewable energy while also increasing gas production.
However, Azerbaijan’s growing gas production has raised concerns among campaigners about the country’s commitment to climate leadership. The EU’s increasing demand for gas has led to accusations of hypocrisy, as Azerbaijan looks to boost its gas exports while also importing gas from Russia. This has put the country’s gas deal with the EU at risk, as the bloc seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Moreover, Azerbaijan’s human rights record has come under scrutiny, with reports of detentions and crackdowns on activists and journalists. The country has faced criticism for its treatment of political prisoners and unjustified arrests. Despite these allegations, Azerbaijani officials have denied any wrongdoing and dismissed accusations of political prisoners.
As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, it faces a delicate balancing act between its economic interests in oil and gas production and its commitments to combat climate change. The country’s vulnerability to climate impacts, such as water scarcity and reliance on agriculture, poses significant challenges. The upcoming climate action plan and the decisions made during the summit will be crucial in determining Azerbaijan’s approach to transitioning away from fossil fuels and addressing climate change.
