The foreign press has a critical attitude towards holding the next annual meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku. This is due to some forces being skeptical about Azerbaijan's contribution to the new energy transition because it is an oil country. The interesting point is that these forces themselves are countries that maintain leadership in oil and gas production and continue to develop this activity. It's no secret that despite having sufficient financial and resource base to implement the global green agenda and shift to alternative energy sources, these countries are evading their commitments made at the COP28 Conference.
For example, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred on April 20, 2010, off the US Gulf of Mexico coast is considered an industrial disaster. The accident resulted in the death of thousands of living creatures (birds, mammals, sea turtles), and the spilled oil caused significant damage to the ocean and vegetation. During the COP17 conference held in South Africa after the incident, discussions were also held regarding environmental damage to the ocean, flora, and fauna caused by oil and gas production. The following table shows how other countries have learned from this and considered solutions:
The world’s wealthiest countries are economically best placed – and obliged under the Paris accords – to lead the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. But these high-capacity countries with low economic dependence on fossil fuels are spearheading the latest drilling frenzy despite dwindling easy-to-reach reserves, handing out 825 new licenses in 2023, the largest number since records began.
Despite their international commitments as leading nations in climate action, developed wealthy countries like the US, UK, Canada, Norway, and Australia continue to show a persistent tendency towards fossil fuels. It is deeply concerning that exploration activity has not just continued since the COP28 agreement but increased. Rich countries with relatively low dependence on fossil fuel revenues should be the first to stop issuing licenses.
According to research by Rystad Energy and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, over the past decade, new licenses issued by high-capacity, low-dependency countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Norway are estimated to have contributed five times more greenhouse gas emissions between 2014 and 2023 than all other oil- and gas-producing countries combined.
The situation is no different in Norway, which is currently the main country supplying fossil fuels to European countries. In recent years, this country has become the number one supplier by dramatically increasing its energy exports to Europe both through pipelines and in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). More than 40% of Germany's natural gas demand is currently supplied by Norway through three underwater pipelines. Although Norway has signed the Paris Climate Agreement and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, it continues to increase its gas exports. While countries announcing energy transition need serious financial support, Norway is developing its gas monopoly. It should be noted that in 2023, Germany's state energy company SEFE signed a long-term gas supply contract with Norway's Equinor. This is one of the largest gas contracts Equinor has signed to date.
Natural gas pipelines from Norway to Europe
Despite having the economic means to transition away from fossil fuels, these nations are petrostates choosing profit over the planet, undermining global efforts to avert the climate emergency.
The Biden administration has defended its record – even as the US entrenched its position as the world’s largest oil and gas producer. John Podesta, Biden’s top climate adviser, said last month that US production was “a good thing, because following the illegal invasion of Ukraine, and the need that Europe had to rely on different sources rather than Russia fossils, it was important that the US could step up and supply a good deal of that need”.
Under the Biden administration, the US has handed out 1,453 new oil and gas licenses, accounting for half of the total globally and 83% of all licences handed out by wealthy nations. This is 20% more than during the term of Donald Trump, who has promised to “drill, baby, drill” should he return to the White House.
Statistics indicate that the Russia-Ukraine war is being used as an excuse by the US.
Thus, despite their international commitments as leading states on climate change, the US, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Australia, which belong to the group of developed wealthy countries, continue to trend towards fossil fuels.
These countries must first end their hypocrisy and immediately stop investing in fossil fuels and issuing licenses. Then they can discuss how much Azerbaijan will contribute to climate change, despite being an oil country. Otherwise, the negative waves spreading in the information space regarding COP29 will continue until Azerbaijan fulfills its obligations within the conference framework and sets an example for other countries that do not adhere to the climate agreement.