The decision by Azerbaijan to host the COP29 climate conference in Baku offers a striking juxtaposition between its global climate ambitions and its domestic economic realities. As a nation deeply reliant on oil and gas exports for economic stability, Azerbaijan’s outward positioning as a climate leader raises important questions about the sincerity of its environmental commitments. This approach illustrates the ongoing struggle faced by fossil-fuel-dependent states: how to maintain international credibility in climate diplomacy while preserving economic lifelines rooted in carbon-intensive industries. Beneath the surface, the gap between rhetoric and action casts a shadow over Azerbaijan’s claims of environmental leadership.
While the government seeks to project itself as a responsible player in the global climate dialogue, the country’s heavy dependence on fossil fuel extraction remains evident. Oil and gas revenue constitutes more than 90% of Azerbaijan’s exports, underpinning much of its economy. This economic structure fundamentally limits genuine commitment to climate-friendly reforms. Instead, hosting COP29 appears strategically designed to enhance international prestige and divert attention from its ongoing investments in fossil fuel projects, such as the multibillion-dollar Southern Gas Corridor intended to supply natural gas to Europe.
Despite outward displays of support for environmental causes, Azerbaijan’s policies and investments tell a different story. Its commitments under the Paris Agreement’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) lack the ambition necessary to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike countries leading transformative changes, Azerbaijan appears to have focused its climate narrative more on rhetoric and international cooperation than on demonstrable local reforms. The global climate stage thus becomes an arena to cultivate diplomatic prestige rather than a means for domestic evolution.
This pattern of behavior is not unique to Azerbaijan but exemplifies broader tensions within the global energy sector, where petrostates seek to maintain relevance amid rising environmental scrutiny. While Azerbaijan’s leaders tout initiatives to diversify the energy mix, such investments often lack the scale necessary to offset their primary dependence on hydrocarbons. Critics argue that symbolic gestures, like tree-planting campaigns and token sustainability projects, overshadow the need for a comprehensive restructuring of the energy economy. The intent appears to be more about optics than outcomes—a carefully curated façade designed to stave off criticism and bolster political legitimacy.
Moreover, the pursuit of a green economy is further complicated by issues of transparency and governance. Environmental activists and civil society groups have pointed out that genuine change will be unattainable without structural reforms that address corruption and ensure public accountability in decision-making processes. In countries where extractive industries dominate, transitioning away from fossil fuels risks destabilizing both economic and political power dynamics. Consequently, Azerbaijan’s apparent climate commitment may be less about substantive action and more about protecting entrenched interests through greenwashing tactics.
From an international perspective, Azerbaijan’s participation in COP29 raises important questions about credibility and ambition in the global climate fight. The world’s leading emitters and fossil fuel-dependent states face heightened scrutiny over their willingness to adapt to decarbonization imperatives. However, without substantial proof of long-term change, efforts like Azerbaijan’s may ring hollow, leaving observers skeptical of the country’s intent to be a genuine partner in building a sustainable future. While high-profile platforms are valuable for awareness and dialogue, their true legacy depends on delivering tangible progress—a standard to which Azerbaijan must ultimately be held accountable.