The Importance of Paying Attention to COP29 Cannot be Overstated

Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas supplier, has been chosen as the host of COP29, the upcoming United Nations climate conference. The country has recently adopted standards for the UN carbon market under the Paris Agreement, which are seen as essential to making Article 6 fully operational.

Mukhtar Babayev, the Environment Minister of Azerbaijan and the President of COP29, has been leading the preparations for the conference. He has organized a pre-COP29 media trip to give journalists a sneak peek at the venue and general landscape of the conference.

Babayev has also detailed a voluntary fund for fossil fuel producers to contribute to, but the mention of the gradual end of fossil fuel use in energy systems was conspicuously missing from his action agenda. This has raised questions about Azerbaijan's commitment to combating climate change, given that fossil fuels make up about 90% of its export revenues.

One of the key items listed in Babayev's action agenda is energy storage and grids, as well as methane reduction. These priorities reflect the global efforts to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

However, Azerbaijan's history of curtailing media and civic freedoms, with at least 25 instances of the arrest or sentencing of journalists and activists in the past year, has raised concerns about the country's ability to ensure transparency and accountability during the conference.

Another significant issue that will be discussed at COP29 is the new collective quantified goal (NCQG). This is expected to replace the current US$100 billion pledge made by wealthy countries, which is due to expire in 2025. The big question is whether countries can agree on a new NCQG at COP29.

In a bid to address criticism, Babayev has added women and young people to his organizational committee in the spirit of inclusion, after receiving backlash for the original all-male membership.

The climate conference in Sharm el Shiek, Egypt, was where the loss and damage fund was finally agreed upon, 30 years after Vanuatu first raised the question of who should pay for climate catastrophe. Ibrahima Cheikh Diong was appointed as the loss and damage fund's executive director by Babayev at the board's last meeting in Baku. The first tranche of financial aid to be disbursed from the loss and damage fund is expected in 2025, brushing aside fears that the fund is at risk.

COP29 is less than a month away, but it is being dismissed by some as a "consolidation COP" where it will merely process decisions made in previous rounds of negotiations. Some are proposing that the focus should be on COP30, which will be held in Brazil.

Despite the geopolitical tensions and Azerbaijan's absence from the Troika meetings, the country is pushing forward with its preparations for COP29. Babayev emphasizes climate justice, especially for Africa, and leads preparations for effective climate finance and international cooperation during the conference. The world will be watching to see if Azerbaijan can deliver on its promises.