THE PETROLEUM OIL WELLS AT BAKU, ON THE CASPIAN. By William Simpson - GARWOOD & VOIGT, peeep.us, Public Domain, link

COP29 Host Azerbaijan Accused of Greenwashing

Essay by Eric Worrall

Critics have pointed out their new green energy agency needs a zero carbon transition plan to be credible.

Cop29 host Azerbaijan launches green energy unit to sceptical response 

Published on 25/01/2024, 1:08pm

Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas firm promises a green push but a lack of climate policies and plans to expand gas production are causing scepticism

By Matteo Civillini

Roaming around what is believed to be modern-day Baku over 700 years ago, the explorer Marco Polo gazed with wonder at “a spring from which gushes a stream of oil, in such abundance that a hundred ships may load there at once”.

The birthplace of crude refining, Azerbaijan has embedded fossil fuels in the fabric of its society for centuries. Oil, and more recently, gas have never stopped flowing from the vast reservoirs dotted around the Caspian basin.

But as it gears up to host the Cop29 UN climate summit in November, Azerbaijan wants to show the world a different image. Burnishing its clean energy credentials through its state-owned oil and gas company, Socar, is part of the plan.

“A green division is meaningless for the climate without an accompanying plan to phase out oil and gas”, Myriam Douo, a senior campaigner with Oil Change International, told Climate Home. “The reality is that to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown more than half of fossil fuels in existing fields must stay in the ground”.

Read more: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2024/01/25/cop29-host-azerbaijan-launches-green-energy-unit-to-sceptical-response/

I think greens are being unduly harsh in their criticism of Azerbaijan. A COP conference host country hatching its first ever green plan should be encouraged as baby steps, not sneered at.

Lets not forget, the Azerbaijanis are a considerate people, I’m sure they’ll remember to provide space for a few green workshops in the middle of all the oil, gas and international arms sales negotiations.

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January 28, 2024 6:29 pm

their new green energy agency needs a zero carbon transition plan to be credible”

Yet there is NO country with a credible zero carbon transition plan..

Go figure !!

Bryan A
Reply to  bnice2000
January 28, 2024 8:19 pm

Zero Carbon Emission Transition Plan
We plan to go Zero Carbon emissions once we figure out how to…
Fly people around the globe without Oil extraction and refinement
Transport goods around the globe In a timely manner, 7,000+ miles at a stretch, without diesel fuel
Make Asphalt road surfaces without oil extraction
Make Concrete road surfaces and bridges without CO2 emissions as a byproduct
Mine, transport, refine and process necessary minerals without Fossil Fueled transportation and processes
Create lightweight materials without oil extraction for petrochemicals
Eliminate petrochemicals needed for all of the more than 6000 products dependent on them
Replace long lasting synthetic rubber tires with tires not dependent on oil extraction
Eliminate all plastics dependent on petrochemicals
Eliminate all prescription medication dependent on petrochemicals
Eliminate Coal for production/purification of structural steel
Eliminate Coal for production/purification of Silicon

Until viable replacements have been created or invented not requiring FF or Petrochemicals for all processes above we will continue to explore, drill, refine and distribute the FF society requires to thrive

Jim Masterson
Reply to  Bryan A
January 29, 2024 1:12 am

You do realize that most alarmists are unaware of the FF requirements for most of today’s processes. The useful idiots, like Greta, are heading us into oblivion.

Reply to  Jim Masterson
January 29, 2024 4:19 pm

Greta had better not go to COP 29, Azerbaijan is the regional capital of sex trafficking and I suspect she’d be very popular.

John Hultquist
January 28, 2024 7:13 pm

 “The reality is that to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown more than half of fossil fuels in existing fields must stay in the ground”.

We will revisit this idea in 75 years. Until then – relax.

Reply to  John Hultquist
January 28, 2024 7:33 pm

In 75 years……..we will need to leave half the remaining reserves in the ground.
i’m off to bed until then.

Reply to  John Hultquist
January 28, 2024 8:19 pm

As usual, a spurious assertion that is completely unsupported by any evidence whatsoever.

Reply to  John Hultquist
January 28, 2024 8:43 pm

We will revisit this idea in 75 years.”

I doubt there is anyone on the forum who will !

Reply to  John Hultquist
January 29, 2024 6:02 pm

The people who make that claim are likely the ones who hope to come along in a bit and extract those fossil fuels once everyone realizes its a scam and they are tired of living hungry in the cold and dark.

Bob
January 28, 2024 9:04 pm

When will this madness stop, we don’t need even one more COP. Stop it.

Jim Masterson
Reply to  Bob
January 29, 2024 1:14 am

It will stop when the majority realizes they are committing suicide.

January 28, 2024 10:18 pm

I can write the green plan for Azerbaijan free of charge

COP29

“Cancelled”

You’re welcome.

Reply to  Redge
January 28, 2024 11:04 pm

Wait until only the week before, though. 🙂

Bryan A
Reply to  bnice2000
January 29, 2024 5:20 am

For COP #29 venue please log onto Zoom Meeting Room 267-349-1954 at least 30minutes in advance. Presenters enter code #696-969-6969 and specify presentation number

January 29, 2024 6:00 pm

I am very hopeful. I see a trend where the big oil and gas producers gradually capture the “save the planet” mantel, and once they have that they will bend the message towards “energy is good, energy allows many people to live on Earth without famine, conflict or disease while preserving nature”. We will eventually get to the point where students in kindergarten are taught about the foolishness of believing in windmills, solar farms and EV’s. I can dream can’t I?