Mukhtar Babayev, the president-elect of the COP29 climate summit, has urged countries, including the U.S., to maintain their climate commitments despite the possibility of Donald Trump being re-elected as president. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling obligations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Babayev stated that all countries should demonstrate their readiness and take action towards achieving this target. As the incoming COP29 president, he aims to secure continued cooperation on curbing global warming and broker a financing agreement for poorer nations.
Despite Azerbaijan’s heavy reliance on oil and gas exports, Babayev emphasized the nation’s commitment to transitioning to renewables and green growth. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s plan to have 30% of its energy mix supplied by renewables by 2027 and its strong policy on energy efficiency programs. Babayev believes that Azerbaijan’s experience in transitioning from oil and gas to green growth could serve as an example for other fossil fuel-rich countries. He also aims to use COP29 as an opportunity to invite oil and gas-producing nations to focus on reducing emissions and invest in green growth to achieve the 1.5-degree target.
Babayev’s goals for COP29 are more conservative compared to previous summits’ aspirations. He aims to get nations to recommit to their prior pledges, including the Paris Agreement’s limit of 1.5 degrees warming. He sees this reaffirmation as crucial for the troika system adopted for COPs 28, 29, and 30. Babayev hopes to lay the foundation for nations to tighten their climate change performance targets in 2025. He also aims to make progress on financing the international climate fund, although he acknowledges the challenges of reaching a conclusion on climate finance issues.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has had environmental consequences, with significant damage to the environment in Ukraine. Azerbaijan’s close ties with Russia raise questions about the country’s potential role in curbing climate change by influencing Russia to end the conflict. Babayev emphasized the importance of consolidating activities to reduce emissions globally and mentioned Azerbaijan’s efforts to invest in green and alternative energy using revenues from natural gas exports. He noted that Azerbaijan aims to provide energy security to Europe and reduce emissions associated with its exports.
Babayev’s appointment as the president-elect of COP29 raises questions about potential conflicts of interest due to his previous role at the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He reassured that his focus was now on mobilizing countries to achieve the 1.5-degree limit and address climate change challenges. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s vulnerability to climate impacts and its efforts to manage these challenges. Babayev also mentioned the role of transparency mechanisms in tracking climate funding and the importance of engaging private entities and development banks in financing climate initiatives.
