Climate change groups have criticized Azerbaijan, host of November's COP29 global climate summit, for plans to dramatically increase natural gas production over the next decade.
uk guardian on wednesday quoted A joint report by two environmental groups, Urgewald and CEE Bankwatch, condemned Azerbaijan's climate change plan as “critically inadequate”.
“Azerbaijan is among a group of small countries that have undermined climate goals.” [and] The country is doubling its fossil fuel extraction,” the report said.
Azerbaijan's state oil and gas company Sokal plans to increase its natural gas production from 37 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024 to 49 bcm by 2033, according to a report. A portion of this production will increase exports to Azerbaijan by 17%. Before the invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) was heavily dependent on Russian natural gas.
“Given Sokar's pivotal role in Azerbaijan's economy and its close ties to the country's political elite, its influence will certainly be felt throughout the climate change negotiations in Baku,” report author Regine said.・Mr. Richter said. Guardian. Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and will host a climate conference in November.
“As we prepare for COP29, we can't help but ask ourselves: Have we put a fox in charge of the chicken coop?” asked Richter.
Organizers of the COP29 conference disagreed with this gloomy assessment, saying that Azerbaijan's increased gas production makes sense and supports the United Nations' plan to make the global transition away from fossil fuels “just and orderly.” It's in line,” he claimed.
“Azerbaijan is investing in gas production capacity in response to European requests to increase supplies following supply disruptions from Russia,” a conference delegate said.
“Azerbaijan is intensively developing its rich solar and wind resources as part of its efforts to become a major supplier of green energy,” the representative added.
of guardian One of the reasons climate change groups are frustrated by Azerbaijan's natural gas heresy is that last year's COP28 meeting was held in oil-rich Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) state oil company Adnoc's Sultan Al・It was suggested that President Javert presided over the meeting.
The sultan is outspoken critic Some climate change groups accused him of engineering his alarmist calls for an immediate end to fossil fuels. unfortunate We will achieve results towards COP28. Activists are now furious after even vague promises at COP28 to gradually “transition” away from fossil fuels were betrayed by increased gas production by COP29 host countries. Another galling echo of the last climate conference is that Sokal, like Adnoc, has a powerful political backer in Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. islamist He considers his country's natural resources to be a “gift from God” that should be utilized with joy.
Azerbaijan's gift from heaven include About 2.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, plus about 7 billion barrels of oil, including extensive offshore drilling in the Caspian Sea. No matter what Azerbaijan plans to do with solar and wind power in the future, it is currently about 98 percent dependent on fossil fuels, with 90 percent of its electricity coming from natural gas.
some climate change activists mock Azerbaijan's modest investment in green energy as a smokescreen for increased fossil fuel production – at best, an effort to slightly reduce domestic dependence on natural gas so Sokal can export more products, and at worst, European customers will be less It's a bit of theatrical greenwashing to make sure you buy with care. Azerbaijani gas and oil.
