The choice of Azerbaijan as the location for the conference is controversial due to it being a major oil and gas producer.[4][5][6] Reporters and anti-corruption non-profits have also criticized that the conference is held in an authoritarian state with extensive corruption.[4][5] The "official partners" of COP29 are businesses that are owned by ruler Ilham Aliyev's family or have ties to the Aliyev family's businesses.[4][5]
In January 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, a longtime official of the Azeri state-owned oil company SOCAR and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, was appointed as COP29 president.[7] Azerbaijan paid the New York-based PR firm Teneo US$4.7 million to manage public relations for the event.[6]
Critique of choice of location
COP29 in Azerbaijan
In December 2023, Azerbaijan was announced as the host of the conference. Held on a rotating schedule, the annual COP summit was set to be hosted by an Eastern European nation. However, Reuters reported during the previous COP28 meeting in Dubai that Eastern European countries agreed to back Azerbaijan's bid for the 2024 edition.[8]
Reporters and anti-corruption non-profits have also criticized that the conference is held in an authoritarian state with extensive corruption.[26][27] The "official partners" of COP29 are businesses that are owned by ruler Ilham Aliyev's family or have ties to the Aliyev family's businesses.[26][27]
Amnesty International said the Host Country Agreement (HCA) between Azerbaijan and the UNFCCC should include arrangements that guarantee that "all human rights are protected and respected", and must be made public immediately, citing Azerbaijan's human rights violations. The rights group drew a comparison with the situation during COP28 that was hosted by the United Arab Emirates, stating that it had made multiple efforts to obtain the HCA signed in August 2023. Amnesty received a copy of COP28's HCA in June 2024, and revealed that it had "significant shortcomings and ambiguities" in rights protections offered to the participants in Dubai.[28]
Campaign groups launched an alternative COP29 website on the first day of COP29, November 11, 2024
The domain www.cop29.com was acquired by climate activist groups, including Global Witness, to advocate for oil companies to contribute to a Loss and Damage fund as part of their campaign. The initiative is supported by a range of activists and campaign groups, including Hollywood director Adam McKay, actress Rosario Dawson, musicians Brian Eno and Jon Hopkins, and prominent climate activists such as Vanessa Nakate, Kumi Naidoo, and Luisa Neubauer.[29]
On 11 November 2024, climate activist Greta Thunberg attended a rally in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, to protest Azerbaijan's hosting of the COP29. Thunberg and other activists criticized Azerbaijan's repressive government, and use of the summit to "greenwash" human rights abuses. She called it "absurd" to hold climate talks in an "authoritarian petrostate" amid rising emissions and a climate crisis.[30]
Azerbaijan's authoritarian ruler Ilham Aliyev described the criticism as a "smear campaign" and said it "cannot derail us from achieving our noble mission to cope with the negative impacts of climate change."[6]
At the Bonn Climate Change Conference in June 2024, progress was made on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and adaptation indicators for COP29.[31] However, limited progress was achieved on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, with unresolved issues surrounding carbon credit systems and emission avoidance. The groundwork for implementing Article 6 was laid, with COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev emphasizing its importance for the upcoming negotiations in Baku.[32] UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell stressed the need for further work to address these issues before COP29.[33]
In July 2024, Azerbaijan introduced the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) in Baku, seeking US$1 billion in annual contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies. The fund will invest in renewable energy and support climate projects in developing countries, with half of its resources aimed at meeting members' NDCs for the 1.5 degree Celsius target. Twenty percent of revenues will go to a Rapid Response Funding Facility (2R2F) for disaster support. Profits will be reinvested, excluding profit-taking by private investors or governments.[34][35]
On 10 and 11 October, Azerbaijan hosted the annual Pre-COP meeting to initiate discussions ahead of COP29. The conference opened with COP29 President-designate Mukhtar Babayev, COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and was themed "Strengthening Ambitions and Ensuring Action".[36] Among the priorities were setting a new climate finance goal to replace the former $100 billion target, fully activating the Loss and Damage fund, and supporting vulnerable communities. Discussions also included updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from countries and finalizing guidelines for carbon markets under Article 6. Leaders emphasized the need to cap global warming at 1.5°C, as current data from the UN Environment Programme suggests that existing climate pledges may allow for a 2.9°C increase.[37][38]
COP29 Organizing Committee
The Organising Committee for COP29 was established by an order of the President of Azerbaijan on 13 January 2024. The committee's composition was subsequently expanded on 19 January and 22 February 2024. Chaired by Samir Nuriyev, Head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, the committee comprises 56 members, including ministers, members of the National Assembly, and other heads of state authorities.[39]
The organizing committee originally consisted of 28 men. After criticism voiced by Christiana Figueres, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and others, another two men and eleven women were added to the panel.[40][41]
COP29 Presidency
The Presidency of COP29 is headed by Mukhtar Babayev, who is currently serving as minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Babayev previously worked as the SOCAR’s Vice President for ecology.[42] Other members of the COP29 Presidency Team include Yalchin Rafiyev as the lead negotiator; Elnur Soltanov as Chief Executive Officer; and Narmin Jarchalova as the Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer. Nigar Arpadarai is the Climate Change High-Level Champion, and Leyla Hasanova is the Youth Climate Champion.[43]
Conference agenda
COP29 aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C, emphasizing the urgent need for investment in climate action. The approach involves boosting ambition through national plans and transparency while driving action with effective financing to reduce emissions and address climate impacts.[44][45]
The COP29 Presidency stresses the importance of operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable communities, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It calls for enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in line with 1.5°C targets and urges the submission of NDCs by 2025, with a focus on phasing out fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy, and addressing non-carbon-dioxide emissions such as methane. On adaptation, the Presidency calls for all countries to have National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) by 2025 and emphasizes the need for scaling up adaptation finance. In addition, COP29 encourages global financial institutions and the private sector to increase climate finance and foster investment in green innovation. The summit aims to provide platforms to mobilize business participation and enhance transparency in investment decisions to support climate action.[46]
The COP29 agenda began on 11 November, with Azerbaijan assuming the presidency and hosting the Subsidiary Bodies meeting to establish the conference's goals. On 12–13 November, world leaders will gather to discuss the Paris Agreement and enhance climate action ambitions, including a summit on methane reduction co-hosted by the US and China. 14 November will focus on finance and trade, launching the Baku Initiative for Climate Finance to support global investments in climate resilience. The agenda was to address energy and peace, examining the links between energy use, conflict, and human security, before shifting on 16 November to sustainable digital practices during the first Digitalization Day. After a rest day, discussions will resume on 18 November with Human Development Day, which will highlight the roles of youth, health, and education in climate resilience. The agenda will then address food and water security, focusing on challenges related to agriculture and water resources. Next, urbanization, transport, and tourism will be discussed as important aspects of climate solutions, including COP’s inaugural Tourism Day promoting sustainable practices. On 21 November, the agenda will consider indigenous knowledge, gender equality, and biodiversity, acknowledging the contributions of diverse communities to climate action. The agenda concludes on 22 November with negotiations to finalize commitments for COP29.[47][48]
In April 2024, Azerbaijan announced Baku Olympic Stadium as the venue for the conference.[49] The city developed a 112,000 m² venue next to the stadium.[50] The event is expected to welcome around 80,000 attendees, including senior government officials at the venue.[51]
COP29 operates within two main zones: the Blue Zone, dedicated to official negotiations among government delegations, international organizations, and selected NGOs, featuring national pavilions where countries present climate initiatives; and the Green Zone, which is accessible to the public and resembles a trade fair, with corporate exhibitors showcasing climate-related products and services.[52]
At COP29, climate finance is expected to be a central topic, focusing on scaling up resources for developing countries to address climate impacts and transition to low-carbon economies. A key agenda item is the negotiation of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, which will set a new financial target to support developing countries post-2025, building on the previous $100 billion annual commitment.[53][54]
Among the major developments, multilateral development banks, including the World Bank and European Investment Bank, pledged to increase climate-related lending to $120 billion annually for low- and middle-income countries, while the Asian Development Bank announced $7.2 billion in additional investments and a $3.5 billion adaptation program targeting glacial melt in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus. Non-profit investor Acumen pledged $300 million for agricultural adaptation in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the Climate Investment Funds launched a $75 billion bond issuance program on the London Stock Exchange. The Association of Banks of Azerbaijan also committed nearly $1.2 billion to support the country's low-carbon transition.[55]
The NCQG negotiations aim to address persistent gaps in climate finance by providing a more ambitious and realistic financial framework. Discussions will cover the spectrum of finance, balancing funding for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, as well as which countries should contribute and what financial instruments should be used.
Operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP27, remains a priority. This mechanism is intended to provide financial assistance to nations disproportionately affected by climate change. Enhancing transparency in climate finance flows will also be emphasized to ensure accountability and build trust among countries, particularly as past pledges have not been fully met.[56]
Recognizing the need for more ambitious targets, COP29 will explore new financial mechanisms to exceed the $100 billion annual target established in 2009. Proposed solutions include blended finance, which combines public and private investments to amplify funding for climate initiatives, and debt-for-nature swaps, allowing countries to reallocate debt repayments toward environmental and climate projects. These approaches aim to provide innovative funding pathways that support climate resilience without adding to the financial burdens of vulnerable countries.[57]
Private sector engagement and multilateral development banks are also expected to play a critical role in meeting these expanded finance goals. COP29 aims to foster partnerships that leverage private capital for sustainable development, focusing on scalable projects that can accelerate climate adaptation and mitigation efforts globally. Such partnerships are seen as essential to achieving a just transition, ensuring that financial resources reach those who need them most while supporting long-term economic stability.[58][57]
At the conference, world leaders ratified a key framework under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, establishing a UN-backed body to regulate international carbon credit trading. The decision is expected to unlock billions of dollars in climate finance, especially for developing countries.[59]
Energy transition
Following COP28 in Dubai, COP29 will focus on advancing the energy transition agenda, with particular emphasis on reducing global reliance on fossil fuels and scaling up renewable energy deployment. Key goals include establishing specific timelines for phasing out coal and developing green hydrogen markets, both of which are critical to achieving the Paris Agreement targets. COP29 will also address energy security concerns, especially for economies heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and will support policies that ensure a just and equitable transition for affected communities.[60]
To facilitate these shifts, COP29 is expected to promote collaborative frameworks that enable countries to share technology, expertise, and resources. This includes regional integration of renewable energy grids, which can improve energy access while reducing emissions. By advancing these initiatives, COP29 seeks to create sustainable, resilient energy systems that align with long-term climate goals.[57]
Controversies
COP29 Chief Executive, Elnur Soltanov was secretly recorded discussing potential oil and gas deals, raising serious concerns about a breach of COP ethics. Critics argue this undermines the conference's goal of transitioning away from fossil fuels, as Soltanov also holds a key role in Azerbaijan's energy sector.[61]
EU diplomats criticized Azerbaijan for not putting fossil fuel phaseouts on the agenda of the conference, with Azerbaijan solely talking about mitigation.[62] Foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko announced in October 2024 that Papua New Guinea would boycott the summit, calling it and previous COP summits a "total waste of time".[63]
In October 2024, Human Rights Watch revealed the HCA between the UN and Azerbaijan, which was signed in August.[64] Although the COP29 HCA was made public prior to the climate conference, unlike COP28, it was described as "disappointing but not surprising." HRW said the HCA was full of "significant shortcomings and ambiguities on the protections for participants' rights". The agreement was released alongside HRW's report exposing the efforts of Azerbaijan's government to "silence its critics", where several activists and journalists were arrested on baseless and serious criminal charges.[65][66][67]
On 15 November 2024, the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition, which includes Global Witness, Corporate Accountability, and Corporate Europe Observatory reported that at least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, surpassing the size of nearly all national delegations except for Azerbaijan (2,229), Brazil (1,914), and Türkiye (1,862). This figure highlights the disproportionate presence of industry representatives compared to delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations, which collectively sent 1,033 participants.[68][69][70]
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