A major controversy has erupted around the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, as Elnur Soltanov, the head of the COP29 delegation, was secretly recorded discussing possible fossil fuel deals.

This has caused a strong backlash from environmental activists and former UN climate officials, who see it as a betrayal of the climate negotiations.

In an undercover investigation by Global Witness, Soltanov was filmed promoting investment opportunities in Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company, SOCAR, during a video meeting with people posing as investors.

In the video, Soltanov spoke about Azerbaijan’s many undeveloped gas fields open for investment.

His role as both COP29 chief and Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister has raised serious questions about conflicts of interest, especially as the world is pushing to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

Critics argue that promoting fossil fuel projects during a climate summit goes against the UN climate goals of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The COP29 summit aims to address urgent climate issues and strengthen global action on climate change.

However, Soltanov’s actions have shifted attention away from these goals, highlighting a troubling pattern of fossil fuel interests influencing climate discussions.

Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres strongly condemned Soltanov’s actions as a betrayal of the climate process, stressing that this behavior undermines the credibility of international climate agreements.

This incident reflects a broader issue, where countries with big fossil fuel interests use their role as climate summit hosts to secure oil and gas deals.

For example, since Azerbaijan was announced as COP29’s host, SOCAR has signed 25 deals worth nearly three times more than those signed the year before.

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This suggests that Azerbaijan may be following the example of other oil-producing countries that have leveraged climate summits to advance fossil fuel agendas.

The implications of this scandal go beyond Azerbaijan. It raises serious questions about whether global climate negotiations can effectively push for a shift away from fossil fuels when some key players are still promoting new oil and gas projects.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that opening new fossil fuel fields is incompatible with real progress on climate change.

As COP29 continues, there are growing calls for more transparency and accountability within the UN climate framework.

Many are pushing for reforms to prevent fossil fuel companies from taking part in climate negotiations or sponsoring COP events.

Activists argue that such influences compromise the integrity of discussions meant to find sustainable solutions to global warming.

This situation also emphasizes the need for public involvement in holding leaders accountable for their actions at these key gatherings.

With greater awareness of these issues, grassroots movements have a chance to counter fossil fuel interests and advocate for real climate action.

It underscores the clash between national economic interests and the urgent need for sustainable practices. As world leaders meet in Baku, it is crucial they reaffirm their commitment to climate action without yielding to fossil fuel lobbying.

The future of international climate agreements relies on prioritizing environmental health over short-term profits, ensuring a livable planet for generations to come.