Azerbaijan finds itself in the global spotlight as the South Caucasus nation, rich in oil reserves, prepares to host the U.N.’s largest climate conference.

Diplomats from around the world will converge on the capital city, Baku, for the annual COP29 summit to deliberate on solutions to the worsening climate crisis. This place holds unique significance, as Baku is where the world’s first oil fields were drilled in 1846. By 1899, Azerbaijan was globally recognized as a leader in oil production.

Nestled between Iran and Russia, Azerbaijan sits on the Caspian Sea. It was under Soviet control from 1922 until gaining independence in 1991. The economy today remains heavily reliant on oil and gas exports, two major contributors to global carbon emissions. In April, President Ilham Aliyev called them a “gift from the gods.”

A person rides a scooter on a path in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Attendees walk past a COP29 sign in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Aliyev, in power for over 20 years following his father, is the country’s authoritarian leader. The government has been known for stifling freedom of speech and civil society. Despite these restrictions, Aliyev called hosting COP29 a “great honor” for Azerbaijan. Interestingly, he has voiced a desire to increase the use of renewable energy domestically to free up more traditional fuels for export.

An oil pumpjack in motion in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Fossil fuels dominate the landscape in Baku

Signs of the country’s dependency on fossil fuels are visible across Baku. Near the Aquatic Palace, oil pumpjacks encased in metal structures extract more than two tons of oil daily. These scenes are not uncommon: oil rigs operate within view of landmarks like the famed Bibi Heybat mosque, a religious site and tourist attraction rebuilt after its destruction in the Soviet era.

Aliyev has framed the opportunity to host COP29 as a sign of international respect for Azerbaijan's green energy initiatives. Among these developments are plans to harness solar and wind power, particularly in Karabakh, a region involved in conflict with ethnic Armenians as recently as 2023. In a March speech, he emphasized that Azerbaijan is in the “active phase” of a green transition – but also warned that the world can’t grow without fossil fuels, at least not in the near future.

Outside Baku’s Olympic Stadium, floating solar panels capture sunlight, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s environment minister and former vice president of the state energy giant Socar, will preside over the event. Babayev indicated a firm intention to showcase Azerbaijan’s shift from its oil-powered past to a greener future, with an emphasis on expanding wind energy. He believes COP29 must carry forward last year’s agreement on reducing fossil fuel dependency and lay groundwork for a robust, financed plan to combat greenhouse gases by 2025.

However, skepticism surrounding these goals persists.

Many watchdog groups accuse Azerbaijan of “greenwashing”—projecting a misleadingly eco-friendly image without significant strides in addressing climate change.

Traffic on a busy street in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Allegations of greenwashing and stifling civil society

Similar to other oil-rich nations, Azerbaijan struggles to transition away from fossil fuels. Kate Watters, executive director of Crude Accountability, an organization that examines environmental concerns in the Caspian region, says Azerbaijan has historically been passive regarding environmental efforts.

Watters highlighted that monitoring environmental issues in the country poses dangers. Citizens face significant barriers in raising concerns about pollution from the oil industry. She referenced health issues experienced by Azeri residents near the Sangachal oil terminal, such as skin irritations, but said there’s little recourse for those affected. Efforts to address these complaints remain largely ignored in a country where freedom of expression is stifled.

Azerbaijan declined multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Buildings overlook Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Babayev has pointed to Azerbaijan’s struggle with rising temperatures as evidence of climate change's toll on the nation. He has called for collaboration amongst global powers to improve plans aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet critics note Azerbaijan isn’t doing enough to address these very issues at home.

Global Witness, a non-profit, revealed data indicating a 10.5% rise in gas flaring in Azerbaijan since 2018. Gas flaring, the practice of burning off excess natural gas, releases harmful emissions like carbon dioxide and methane. This phenomenon has been linked to health issues in places like the Sangachal terminal and is a major contributor to global warming.

Louis Wilson, who leads fossil fuel investigations at Global Witness, stated, “This COP is shaping up to be run by a host that isn’t even taking care of fundamental climate diplomacy tasks.”

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Azerbaijan is bound to submit regular updates on its climate action plans. Its most recent submission in 2023 was rated “critically insufficient” by a group of climate scientists. Another plan is expected soon, but doubts linger.

Another oil pumpjack at work in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Amid war in Europe, Azerbaijan gains prominence for natural gas

Home to the massive Shah Deniz gas field, Azerbaijan stands as a significant player in the global energy market. In April, BP announced the launch of a new oil platform in the Caspian Sea, further enhancing Azerbaijan’s production capacity.

With fossil fuel output expected to increase over the next decade, the country’s geopolitical influence has grown. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the majority of the natural gas Europe once received from Moscow—previously about 40% of its supply—was halted. Azerbaijan seized the opportunity, with the European Union striking a deal to double gas imports from Baku to 20 billion cubic meters annually by 2027, though questions remain about Azerbaijan’s ability to meet this demand.

In March, Aliyev stated: “The more renewables we implement, the more gas we preserve,” hinting that the saved gas would bolster the Southern Gas Corridor—an essential conduit for Azeri gas flowing into Europe.

Vehicles pass COP29 signage in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Azerbaijani government officials counter that criticizing their oil exports is hypocritical, especially when European nations still rely on them to keep energy costs manageable for their citizens.

Hosting COP29 may highlight Azerbaijan’s reliance on fossil fuels, but it might also shine a light on the persistent global need for them, a dilemma many nations face in the ongoing energy debate.

For climate advocates, the pressing question is whether Azerbaijan, a birthplace of the oil industry, can effectively lead discussions pivoting the global energy landscape toward sustainable sources.

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