The United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2024 will be held in Azerbaijan. From November 11 to 22, global climate discussions will take place at the stadium in Baku, focusing on climate action plans.
The previous COP28 ran from November 30 to December 13, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. That event drew criticism due to the choice of location, as the dialogue was hosted in a country high on the list of major oil producers. This year, similar criticisms have emerged. For some groups and organizations, the venue and agenda raise a mismatch in climate priorities.
While Azerbaijan has a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2050 and aims for green energy to comprise 30 percent of its energy mix by 2030, the country’s significant natural resources, particularly in oil and natural gas, cannot be overlooked.
Oil production occurs both onshore and offshore in the Caspian Sea. The largest oil field lies about 100 km east of Baku, encompassing several reservoirs situated at depths between 2000 and 3500 meters below the Caspian seabed.
In addition to oil, Azerbaijan holds substantial natural gas reserves, with extraction expected to continue over the coming decades with some increases anticipated.
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Such significant fossil fuel reserves pose a challenge for Azerbaijan: how to balance economic growth based on exploiting these resources with global efforts to protect the climate and transition to renewable energy.
However, the United Arab Emirates, last year’s host, plans to expand fossil fuel production significantly, and the same is true for Brazil, the COP30 host. Economic goals risk undermining trust in climate negotiations.
The discrepancy between certain host countries’ energy policies and climate goals has raised questions about the effectiveness of global climate talks.
The international community, especially nations most affected by climate change, expects hosts to lead by example in achieving ambitious climate goals, but questions remain about whether this is fully achievable in these countries.
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