COP29 Sparks Backlash Over Oil Deals and Human Rights Abuses

What is COP29?

The 11th of November 2024, marked the beginning of COP29 – the annual U.N climate change summit, hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan.

COP29 stands for the 29th Conference of the Parties, a conference where countries come together to sign pledges on limiting their carbon emissions and reducing global warming. 

This year is particularly focused on climate finance – funding developing countries to help limit their carbon emissions.

However this COP has received immense media criticism due to Azerbijani’s dependence on oil and gas, and its human rights records. Additionally, even COP officials have been caught discussing fossil fuel investment opportunities.

Azerbaijan’s dependence on oil and gas

Azerbaijan is an oil-rich country, heavily dependent on extractive industries – with 90% of exports from oil and gas. 

The country plans to expand its gas production by up to a third over the next decade. Scientists have commented saying it is “the ecologically most devastated area in the world”.

The Executive Secretary of UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), wrote a letter to the UN saying that countries should not host talks if they do not support the phase out of fossil energy. 

In response to this, at the opening of the conference, Ilham Aliyev – The President of Azerbaijan described oil and gas as ‘a gift of god’, criticising Western “fake news” about the country’s emissions and said nations shouldnt be blamed for having fossil fuel reserves. 

Generally, it can be said there is a hypocrisy of western countries – who are the largest consumers of gas, that criticise other countries for not doing enough on climate action. When in fact they buy and burn the oil and gas that causes climate change. 

Human Right Records

The country’s human rights record stands out. Azerbaijan has been recorded for committing severe violations to human rights.

According to The Union “For Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan”, approximately 300 climate and environmental prisoners have been held in detention based on politically motivated charges. These include journalists, activists and human rights defenders. 

The Secretary General, Agnès Callamard said “Azerbaijan is hosting an international conference on climate justice while actively undermining the main pillars of climate activism.”

In response to this, the Azerbaijani government rejects all claims to be holding any political or environmental prisoners. 

Amnesty International has documented how previous COP climate summits have also involved restrictions over freedom of expression.

COP29 officials caught discussing investment opportunities

Despite the UNs position on reducing carbon emissions, a secret recording was exposed of the chief executive of Azerbaijan COP20 team discussing “Investment opportunities” in the state’s oil and gas company. 

Commenting that there are “lots of gas fields that are to be developed” and “potential gas ventures.”

The UN body told the BBC that the chief’s actions were “completely unacceptable” and a “betrayal.”

There was a similar scandal back in COP28 where documents were leaked with the host, UAE (United Arab Emirates) partnering with other countries to promote oil and gas companies.

COP29 is a critical opportunity for world leaders to commit to cutting carbon emissions. Yet global leaders and COP officials are not onboard or committed to phasing out fossil fuels. 

Instead the event has been used as an investment opportunity with Azerbaijan to boost profits within the country.

Words By: Zara Lake