Government “autocratic”promotion of fossil fuels and corruption: a report published on Thursday, October 31 by the NGO Transparency International and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective analyzes the risks to the advancement of climate negotiations at the next COP29, to be held in Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
In its current form, the COP “Risks are undermined by inappropriate corporate influence and captured by the fossil fuel sector”warns the report. “Corruption and kleptocracy also threaten the integrity of climate conferences, including the upcoming COP29 in Baku”is added. “Azerbaijan – with its autocratic government, large fossil fuel sector and high level of public sector corruption – clearly illustrates several risks to the integrity of UN climate conferences”the authors summarize.
The choice of hydrocarbon exporter Azerbaijan to host the annual event had already raised concerns about its willingness to encourage an exit from oil, gas and coal, the main culprits of climate change. Ilham Aliev, the country’s authoritarian president, in April described his country’s oil and gas reserves as “gift from God”.
Mix of genres
The report more specifically criticizes the links between the COP presidency and the national hydrocarbon company, Socar, from which COP29 president Mukhtar Babaev comes. “COP29 risks becoming a new forum for fossil fuel contracts and diplomacy”at the time when “Socar leads a regional expansion strategy for fossil fuels”the report states.
This mix of genders had already been denounced by non-governmental organizations last year, during COP28 in Dubai, which ended however with a call for a ” transition “ towards the abandonment of fossil fuels in energy systems.
The report also denounces the fact that some members of the COP29 organizing committee “we were involved in major corruption scandals”. “The organization of COP29 is already being used to promote companies linked to the ruling family of Azerbaijan and others close to the regime”explains, citing for example a housing contract.
Among other criticisms, the authors mention an operation of “Reputation laundering” with the creation of a “NGO coalition”some of whom are linked to the regime, while the government “silences critical voices of civil society”.
