The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is currently underway at the Baku Olympic Stadium, located in Azerbaijan, also known as the land of fire due to its rich fossil fuel reserves. The event, hosted by President Ilham Aliyev, has sparked controversy due to the contradictions inherent in holding climate negotiations within a petro-state. Azerbaijan's economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas exports, which comprise nearly 90 percent of its trade. Aliyev opened the conference claiming, "People need them (oil and gas)." This statement reflects the broader sentiment of the Azerbaijani government, which dismisses accusations of being labeled as a petro-state as Western slander.
The hosting of COP29 is particularly poignant as it marks the second consecutive climate conference to be held within a country known for its fossil fuel wealth, following last year’s event held in Dubai, UAE. Notably, it’s also the third consecutive summit to be set in authoritarian countries with troubling human rights records—two years ago, the conference took place in Egypt. During this year's conference, numerous reports have highlighted Azerbaijani authorities’ increasing crackdowns on dissent, providing political critics and journalists little space to operate freely.
At COP29, numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights activists have raised alarms over the Azerbaijani government’s treatment of political dissidents prior to the summit. Amnesty International has urged delegates attending COP29 to confront the Azerbaijani authorities about the systemic rights violations occurring within the country. Activists contend the government's intensifying crackdown on civil society activities began shortly after Azerbaijan was announced as the host country.
This oppressive atmosphere loomed heavy over COP29, as international human rights bodies condemned the imprisonment of journalists and activists who had been jailed on politically motivated charges. Reports indicate at least 14 journalists were incarcerated just prior to the summit. Many of these individuals have been accused of currency smuggling, reactions their supporters claim are baseless. An appeal from Azerbaijani civil society groups called attention to the extent of repression occurring just before the conference, asserting the campaign to silence dissent began gaining momentum after the hosting announcement was made.
Activists across the board have voiced their discontent with COP29 being situated within Azerbaijan’s borders. They claim this not only legitimizes the oppressive state on the global stage but also undermines serious climate discussions, particularly when the civil rights of participants are at stake. An event hosted by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International at this year’s conference explicitly addressed the sentiment: "No Climate Justice Without Civic Space and Meaningful Participation." This initiative aimed to remind participants of the intrinsic link between climate action and civic freedoms, highlighting the key role civil society plays within the climate movement.
Unsurprisingly, this year’s COP has attracted considerable critiques due to the limited space for civil liberties and freedoms for activists attempting to raise their concerns. Greta Thunberg, the renowned climate activist, has publicly boycotted COP29, labeling it as indicative of the “dark joke” around climate talks hosted within authoritarian contexts. The current framework leading up to the conference has suggested disappointment, alongside fears of fossil fuel lobbyists overshadowing the dialogue, especially since Azerbaijan has rolled out the red carpet for energy production magnates.
A stark demonstration of the awkwardness surrounding the summit is the active lobbying by Havas, the French public relations agency, which has amassed campaigns against Azerbaijan's fossil fuel reliance, targeting its ties to Armenia as part of its efforts. Their ventures have sought to spotlight human rights abuses attributed to the Baku government, yet they must navigate complex political waters characterized by shifting alliances within the Caucasus region.
Another significant aspect overshadowing COP29 is the prominent absence of some major world leaders, including those from the US, UK, and France. Their absence raises meaningful questions about the commitment to climate goals, especially as negotiations progress. This year has marked disappointing progress worldwide, as many nations have continued to struggle with setting significant targets for reducing carbon emissions, leading to growing skepticism about the effectiveness of the conference.
Despite the apparent setbacks and the backdrop of human rights violations coming to light during the event, global representatives are trying to steer discussions toward progress on climate finance, support for loss and damage, and the effectiveness of previous pledges. Some nations, particularly among smaller, developing countries, are raising their voices, expressing deep-seated frustrations about the delays and insufficient responses from wealthier nations during the negotiations. They contend the time for decisive action has long passed and expect meaningful advancements to emerge from COP29.
The conference also shines the spotlight on the role of the tourism industry within the broader conversation on climate action. For the first time, COP29 has designated specific discussions aimed at addressing the sustainability impacts of the travel industry’s carbon emissions. Recent announcements have emphasized the need for the tourism sector to engage meaningfully with its climate responsibilities as global emissions continue to rise cyclical patterns.
Azerbaijan is not only standing at the crossroads of oil wealth and pressing climate needs but finds itself grappling with the glaring disparity between its energy output and the commitments being made at the conference. The juxtaposition between Azerbaijan’s financial reliance on fossil fuels and the general push toward climate consciousness reflects the urgent need for dialogue on the transition from fossil fuel dependency to greener alternatives.
It is too early to say how these discussions will impact the course of global climate policy moving forward, but one thing is for certain: COP29 is intensifying attention on how nations can reconcile their economic realities with the urgent need to combat climate change. With the voices of activists muted and critics silenced, COP29 encapsulates the growing contradictions faced by countries weighed down by fossil fuel economies amid the pressing demand for both emission reductions and concrete actions toward sustainable futures.
While COP29 strides forward, those left questioning the effectiveness of climate conferences may wonder if meaningful change can come out of summits held within countries such as Azerbaijan, where fossil fuels reign supreme, and dissent faces crackdowns.
