In less than a month, Azerbaijan will host the United Nations' 29th Climate Change Conference, or COP29. But a new report on its state oil company bolsters concerns as to how well the country can guide the first round of international climate talks after world leaders pledged to transition away from fossil fuels in 2023.
's vice president. The government-selected president of the COP29 talks, Mukhtar Babayev, was a former Green. Despite this, the state company seems committed to fossil fuels, both now and in the future. ' has signed an agreement with the European Union to boost gas exports by 17% by 2026. Azerbaijan's total oil and gas production is on track to increase by one-third by 2033—from 37 billion cubic meters to 49 billion. However,