Introduction: Hosting the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP29), a pivotal global climate summit scheduled for November 2024, will mark a historic moment as Azerbaijan assumes the role of host nation in its capital city, Baku. This prestigious gathering, which brings together representatives from all 198 signatory nations of the convention, serves as the premier international forum for evaluating progress in climate change mitigation and negotiating future environmental commitments. Since its inception with the first Conference of Parties in Berlin in 1995, these annual meetings have evolved into the cornerstone of international climate diplomacy and action.
The Role of COP in Global Climate Action
The Conference of Parties (COP) operates as a multifaceted platform serving several critical functions in the global fight against climate change. Its primary responsibilities include conducting comprehensive reviews of UNFCCC and protocol implementation, facilitating negotiations for greenhouse gas emission reduction agreements, developing robust climate adaptation strategies, and fostering international cooperation. This cooperation encompasses various crucial aspects, including climate financing mechanisms, technology transfer initiatives, and capacity-building programs specifically designed to support developing nations in their climate action efforts.
Throughout its history, COP conferences have achieved numerous significant milestones that have shaped the global response to climate change. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol, adopted at COP3, stands as a groundbreaking achievement as the first international treaty to mandate specific emission reduction targets for industrialized nations. The 2015 Paris Agreement, reached at COP21, marked another watershed moment by establishing the ambitious yet crucial goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and implementing the framework of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), allowing countries to set and pursue their own climate targets.
The Glasgow Climate Pact, adopted at COP26, further advanced global climate action by securing commitments to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and enhance national climate plans. COP27 achieved another significant breakthrough with the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, designed to provide crucial financial support to developing nations facing severe climate impacts. Most recently, COP28 initiated the Global Stocktake process, creating a comprehensive mechanism to assess collective progress toward achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals, reflecting a growing global consensus on the urgency of addressing climate change.
We are honoured to inform you of the significant progress and strategic initiatives Azerbaijan has undertaken in anticipation of hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November 2024 in Baku. This prestigious event not only underscores our commitment to global climate diplomacy but also aligns perfectly with our national strategies for sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Diplomatic and Economic Objectives:
Under the successful leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and building upon our proactive tenure in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Azerbaijan has secured the role of hosting COP29, a testament to our growing influence and commitment in the South Caucasus region and on the global stage. The conference presents a pivotal opportunity to showcase our economic diversification and the substantial investments made in our renewable energy sector. These initiatives are designed to attract foreign direct investment, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and highlight our capabilities in sustainable economic practices.
National Environmental Policy and Sustainability Efforts:
Our national environmental policy is geared towards ensuring long-term ecological and economic stability. Key measures include promoting the use of electric vehicles, facilitated by significant incentives and exemptions, and expanding urban green spaces to enhance the ecological balance and improve the quality of life for our citizens. Moreover, our collaboration with the IDEA Foundation exemplifies our commitment to engaging with civil society to spread environmental awareness and foster active participation in our green initiatives.
Innovative Green Technologies and International Cooperation:
We are implementing extensive programs that focus on clean and alternative energy sources, including state-supported solar and wind projects. In the liberated territories of Karabakh, we are pioneering the use of green technologies to ensure that our reconstruction efforts are sustainable and aligned with the latest environmental standards.
Hosting COP29: A Platform for Global Dialogue and Action:
The selection of Baku as the host city for COP29 not only enhances our diplomatic relations across Europe and Asia but also positions Azerbaijan as a facilitator of meaningful global climate dialogue. This conference will allow us to demonstrate our achievements in environmental policy and our ongoing commitment to sustainable development.
As we prepare to welcome the international community to Azerbaijan, we look forward to engaging in fruitful discussions and collaborative efforts to address the pressing challenges of climate change. We are committed to making COP29 a landmark event that contributes significantly to the global climate action agenda.
We appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to your support and participation at COP29.
Advancing Peace and Regional Stability
Azerbaijan’s commitment to a peaceful resolution is underscored by several significant developments.
First, Armenia’s decision to withdraw its own COP29 bid in favor of supporting Azerbaijan’s candidacy marks a watershed moment in bilateral relations. This unprecedented show of support, coming from one of only two shortlisted candidates and a long-standing rival, demonstrates the effectiveness of Baku’s diplomatic outreach.
Second, Azerbaijan’s explicit invitation to Armenia to participate in COP29 further exemplifies its commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and regional cooperation. This gesture represents a concrete step toward normalizing relations between the two nations.
Perhaps most significantly, a crucial meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took place on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. This high-level engagement yielded tangible results, with both leaders directing their foreign ministers to expedite the finalization of a peace agreement “in the shortest possible period.” The seriousness of this commitment was immediately demonstrated when President Aliyev signed a regulation the following day to advance the border demarcation process with Armenia.
Azerbaijan’s commitment to peace extends beyond bilateral relations through its innovative “COP Truce” proposal which was supported by all member states of the NAM. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Truce, this initiative calls for global conflict parties to suspend hostilities during the climate conference. This proposal serves a dual purpose: highlighting the crucial interconnection between peace and climate action while emphasizing the international community’s need to prioritize collaborative responses to climate challenges.
Domestic and International Climate Actions: Azerbaijan’s Green Energy Agenda
Azerbaijan’s COP29 leadership comes at a critical time, with the region grappling with significant climate-related issues, including pollution and declining water levels in the Caspian Sea, the drying up of Lake Urmia in Iran, and environmental risks posed by Armenia’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan has implemented a series of concrete actions that reflect a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability and a transition to green energy.
Domestically, Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development goals for 2030 prioritize “a country of clean environment and green growth.” In line with this vision, the country has initiated notable environmental policies. A key development is the transition to Euro-5 standard fuel production, which promises to substantially reduce transportation-related emissions while simultaneously lowering vehicle maintenance costs and improving industrial efficiency. The government has implemented a strategic pricing policy to encourage the adoption of more environmentally friendly vehicles, lowering A-95 gasoline prices while increasing A-92 gasoline prices to incentivize the transition to hybrid vehicles in response to their growing market presence.
The country has also taken decisive steps to promote electric vehicle adoption through a series of high-level policy initiatives. In July 2023, President Ilham Aliyev approved significant tax incentives, including a 10-year VAT exemption for passenger car production and related raw materials until January 2031. This commitment was further strengthened on March 7, 2024, when President Aliyev issued a decree mandating the expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure and charging stations, actively encouraging private sector participation in this development. More recently, in April 2024, Prime Minister Ali Asadov’s decision to modify customs duty rates for electric motorcycles and bicycles further demonstrates Azerbaijan’s comprehensive approach to promoting sustainable transportation.
Green energy projects are also central to Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories (in accordance with UN resolutions), with an emphasis on reducing pollution and mitigating environmental issues. The Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, along with Nakhchivan, are set to become zero-emission zones by 2050.
At the international level, Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency has launched initiatives that underscore its commitment to global climate action. The announcement of the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) represents approach to investing in climate action in developing nations. This innovative fund will be capitalized through contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies across the oil, gas, and coal sectors, with Azerbaijan taking a leading role as a founding contributor. The CFAF structure requires an initial capitalization of $1 billion with participation from at least ten contributing countries to become operational. The fund’s framework ensures meaningful impact by directing fifty per cent of its capital toward climate projects in developing countries that rely on support across mitigation, adaptation, and research and development initiatives.
Furthermore, the CFAF has established a Rapid Response Funding Facility (2R2F), which will receive twenty per cent of investment revenues to provide immediate assistance for natural disaster response in vulnerable nations, particularly benefiting Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. The fund will provide crucial off-take agreement guarantees for small and medium-sized renewable energy producers and first-loss capital support for green industrial projects, with a special focus on the food and agriculture sector to protect livelihoods while pursuing net-zero goals.
Azerbaijan has also demonstrated leadership in developing regional green energy infrastructure through the COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge, which was developed in partnership with UNECE and UNIDO. This initiative aims to establish centralized sustainable energy generation hubs and efficient cross-border transmission corridors. The country’s commitment to this vision is evidenced by its 2022 strategic partnership agreement with Georgia, Romania, and Hungary on green energy development and transmission. This collaboration has led to the development of the ambitious Caspian Sea–Black Sea–Europe energy corridor, designed to transport 4 GW of electricity. Additionally, Azerbaijan is planning another 1 GW green energy transmission route via the Nakhchivan exclave and Türkiye to Europe, with further plans to integrate Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan into these energy corridors.
These comprehensive domestic and international initiatives demonstrate Azerbaijan’s substantive commitment to addressing climate challenges and advancing green energy transition. Rather than engaging in “greenwashing,” these policies reflect a strategic and practical approach to environmental sustainability, backed by concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Azerbaijan’s role as the host of COP29 presents a pivotal moment for the nation to both assert its climate leadership and counter claims of “peacewashing” and “greenwashing.” Through significant diplomatic strides, such as fostering regional cooperation with Armenia, and tangible policy measures, including investments in renewable energy and sustainable transportation, Azerbaijan demonstrates a sincere commitment to addressing climate change. Its ambitious initiatives, such as the Climate Finance Action Fund and regional green energy infrastructure projects, further solidify its position as a proactive contributor to global climate solutions, transcending mere public relations efforts.