Azerbaijan Claims Fossil Fuels Can Coexist with Climate Action
- Azerbaijan presidency asserts that fossil fuels and climate action can work together.
- The claim was made during the presentation of several initiatives at the Baku summit.
- It sparks a debate on balancing the use of fossil fuels and combating climate change.
BRUSSELS — As the host of this year’s global climate talks, Azerbaijan has sparked controversy by suggesting that ongoing fossil fuel extraction can coexist with the goals of the Paris Agreement. With COP29 set to commence in Baku in four months, Azerbaijani officials unveiled 14 non-binding initiatives aimed at encouraging international participation. Deputy Energy Minister Soltanov emphasized the importance of aligning with the 1.5°C climate target while also acknowledging the necessity of fossil fuels in the energy mix, stating, “There is a certain compatibility between them.” President Ilham Aliyev has previously referred to Azerbaijan's fossil fuel reserves as “a gift of the gods,” highlighting the country’s reliance on these resources. Notably, the initiatives presented do not directly address the issue of fossil fuel consumption, raising questions about the commitment to climate action. The most significant announcement was the establishment of a new “Climate Finance Action Fund” (CFAF), which will be based in Baku and funded through voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing nations and companies. However, the CFAF will only be operational once at least ten countries collectively pledge $1 billion, a target that remains unfulfilled. COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev did not disclose Azerbaijan's planned contribution or the identities of potential contributors. As the presidency prepares for an informal negotiators' retreat next week, Rafiyev acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “We have our work cut out for us. There is much to do.”