The 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), known as COP 29, is set to address several principles and initiatives announced by the host country, Azerbaijan.
EcoLur’s Deputy President Victoria Burnazyan and expert Rosa Julhakyan have examined the COP 29 program and the international response to holding this conference in Baku. Their analysis was presented at a roundtable held on October 17 in Yerevan, organized by EcoLur and supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office - South Caucasus Region as part of "Strengthening Communities in Implementation of Climate Policy in Armenia through Participation and Awareness Raising" project.
Background on Baku Hosting COP 29
Armenia initially submitted a bid to host COP 29 during COP 27, followed by Azerbaijan’s formal bid. On December 7, 2023, the offices of the Armenian Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani President issued a joint statement in which Armenia withdrew its bid in favor of Azerbaijan in exchange for the release of 32 Armenian servicemen held in Azerbaijan.
International Response to Baku as the COP 29 Host
COP 29’s location in Azerbaijan has stirred significant reactions from international rights organizations. Victoria Burnazyan referenced statements from organizations like Freedom House, which rates Azerbaijan as “not free” with a score of 7 out of 100 on its Global Freedom Index, and Human Rights Watch, which highlighted the severe human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Additionally, Azerbaijani human rights defenders, independent activists, and journalists have addressed an open letter to the UNFCCC Secretariat, expressing concerns over the decision. In response, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has banned entry to 76 political figures from 26 European countries who voted in favor of hosting COP 29 in Azerbaijan.
Main Principles and Agenda of COP 29
COP 29 is set to follow key principles such as:
- Common but Differentiated Responsibilities: Countries must act against climate change, considering historical and current greenhouse gas contributions and capacities.
- Sustainable Development: Policies should aim not only at reducing emissions but also ensuring economic and social stability.
- Precautionary Approach: Actions must be taken before climate change impacts become irreversible.
- Science-Based Decisions: Decisions should rely on scientific research to address climate change effectively.
- Transparency and Accountability: Nations must be transparent about their actions and regularly report on outcomes.
- Stakeholder Involvement: Local communities, NGOs, and businesses should participate in decision-making processes.
The primary agenda in Baku includes:
- Preventing the global temperature from exceeding the 1.5°C threshold.
- Emphasizing the need to invest today to save in the future.
- Rapid and sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to keep temperature rise below 1.5°C.
Azerbaijan’s Key Initiatives for COP 29
Notable initiatives proposed by Azerbaijan include:
- Establishment of the Climate Finance Action Foundation (CFAF): Azerbaijan suggests a fund supported by voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies. However, Burnazyan criticized this, saying it conflicts with the principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, appearing as an attempt to “greenwash” fossil fuel extraction.
- Call for a “COP Ceasefire,” inspired by the Olympic truce, emphasizing the importance of peace and climate action. Burnazyan viewed this as a way to obscure Azerbaijan’s military policies and avoid accountability.
- Green Energy Zones and Corridors: This initiative aims to create green energy zones, but Burnazyan highlighted the irony of Azerbaijan declaring Nagorno-Karabakh a “green energy zone” following conflicts that caused significant human and ecological losses. She added that Azerbaijan has also been cutting down trees in occupied areas of Armenia’s Shikahogh State Reserve, destroying wildlife, and constructing military infrastructure.
- Green Development vs. Fossil Fuel Export: Rosa Julhakyan pointed out that despite Azerbaijan’s claims of “green” development, the country continues large-scale oil and gas exports. In 2023, Azerbaijan’s natural gas production reached 48.3 billion cubic meters, a 37% increase from 2022.
This article was prepared within the framework of "Strengthening Communities in Implementation of Climate Policy in Armenia through Participation and Awareness Raising" project, which is implemented in cooperation with the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office - South Caucasus Region.
The content of the article is solely the responsibility of the author, and it cannot in any way be perceived as the viewpoint of the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office - South Caucasus Region.
October 28, 2024 at 14:42