As predictably as sea levels rise with increasing emissions, accusations of “greenwashing” have emerged following the announcement of Azerbaijan as the host for the upcoming annual UN climate summit, COP29. With the event approaching later this month, these criticisms have only intensified.

At the core of these allegations lies a simplified narrative: that Azerbaijan believes it can obscure its identity as a producer of oil and gas simply by hosting COP. However, anyone who delves into Azerbaijan’s history will quickly recognize that fossil fuel extraction has profoundly influenced our development. The world’s first commercial oil well was drilled in Baku during the 19th century, making our relationship with fossil fuels a longstanding one. Rather than attempting to hide our past, hosting COP ensures that this history is highlighted, bringing it to the forefront of global discussions.

Despite contributing only 0.01% to global emissions, Azerbaijan is not ashamed of its role in the energy industry. The revenues generated from oil and gas have been instrumental in funding essential investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and education, resulting in an impressive tenfold increase in GDP per capita since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Moreover, Azerbaijan’s energy resources have bolstered our partners’ energy security. Our recent provision of transitional gas to Europe has played a vital role in preventing a regressive shift back to dirtier coal in the face of supply challenges.

Energy remains the backbone of the modern world, yet viable alternatives to fossil fuels have not yet emerged to meet global demand. This is the critical issue we must address. We should reflect on the true purpose of these summits: are they meant for virtue-signaling, or are they intended to pave the way for a sustainable future? The pursuit of climate purity often undermines this objective. It leads to a fundamental question: how can a solution be devised without the active participation of producers? This inquiry often goes unaddressed by those who prefer to hurl accusations instead of engaging constructively.

Following this line of reasoning to its logical conclusion reveals its absurdity. If we were to exclude producers from hosting COP, should we not also exclude consumers who import and utilize these fossil fuels? Ultimately, no nation in the world would meet such criteria.

Countries should be evaluated not by their historical context but by their future trajectory. Azerbaijan has limited control over the global demand for gas or the market dynamics that respond to it. However, we can offer an alternative. Abundant wind reserves in the Caspian Sea far exceed our domestic energy requirements. Azerbaijan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that this wealth of renewable energy can be transmitted to European partners via a subsea electricity cable beneath the Black Sea. Nevertheless, realizing a project of this magnitude demands collaboration and commitment from a diverse range of stakeholders, both producers and consumers. Climate change is a challenge that affects us all; we are in this together. Instead of remaining a mere slogan, this logic must permeate the planning of the mega-projects that will enable the transition to a different future.

Rather than tackling the complexities of climate action, some individuals prefer to engage in the familiar practice of attacking the hosts of COP. Regardless of what Azerbaijan communicates or accomplishes, those in this camp will continue to perceive grandiose schemes. Yet, it’s essential to note that Azerbaijan had not anticipated hosting this conference in the first place. The Eastern European nations were scheduled to host COP this year, but geopolitical factors across the region complicated the selection process. In our case, Armenia initially vetoed our bid, having occupied a significant portion of our internationally recognized territory for three decades. Azerbaijan regained control of these regions in 2020.

As part of historic peace negotiations between our two nations, Armenia agreed to support our bid, while we in turn supported Armenia’s candidacy for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership. This breakthrough came a year later than the typical timeline for host selection, leaving Azerbaijan with just half the time to prepare for the conference.

Related

• Azerbaijan Gears Up for COP29: How Baku is Preparing to Host the World’s Biggest Climate Summit
• COP29: What is the Paris Agreement and How Will Countries Be Held Accountable in Baku?

Given this context, it is perhaps predictable that criticisms would arise from those opposed to the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. COP serves as a convenient platform for various forms of criticism, including accusations that Azerbaijan is attempting to “peace-wash” its reputation, overlooking the fact that our hosting of the conference was a direct result of peace negotiations. Both sides have acknowledged that we stand on the brink of a long-elusive peace deal.

Complex and Challenging Work

Azerbaijan’s sole objective for COP is to eliminate the divisions that exist between countries. We must facilitate an agreement among developed nations to establish a new climate fund that transforms commitments to reduce global emissions from past COPs into tangible actions. This must be done while ensuring the protection of developing nations that are on the front lines of climate change, reflecting our common but differentiated responsibilities based on historical emissions. This is no simple task; it is complex and fraught with challenges. For some, it may be easier to take refuge in simplistic, cheap criticism.

Hikmet Hajiyev is the foreign affairs adviser to the president of Azerbaijan.

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