COP29 Chief Executive Caught in Fossil Fuel Deal Controversy

An undercover investigation exposes potential misconduct by COP29's leadership, raising ethical concerns about the conference's integrity.

In a shocking twist at the upcoming COP29 climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, secret recordings have surfaced revealing Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of the COP29 team, engaging in discussions that promote fossil fuel deals. The BBC reports that the footage, captured by the human rights organization Global Witness, shows Soltanov outlining “investment opportunities” in the Azerbaijani state oil and gas company, Socar, during a meeting arranged with a faux investor.

The recordings depict Soltanov presenting Azerbaijan's extensive gas fields as a lucrative investment, despite the COP’s longstanding objective of mitigating climate change. His dual role as Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister further complicates the situation, as critics warn that he is leveraging his COP position for personal and corporate gain. This revelation has led former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres to label Soltanov's conduct "a betrayal" of the COP process.

As oil and gas make up a staggering 90% of Azerbaijan's exports and half of its economy, Soltanov appeared eager to foster discussions on joint ventures while mentioning Russia's focus on "transitional fuels." COP29 is set to address global strategies for climate adaptation and emissions reduction; yet, the ongoing controversy raises questions about the ethical standards expected from conference officials.

Despite efforts to seek comments from the COP29 team, responses have been non-existent, reflecting the clouded integrity of the summit just days before it begins. Previous allegations against the UAE during COP28 concerning similar fossil fuel deals only heighten concerns over the transparency and accountability of climate negotiations. The UN’s ethical standards for COP officials dictate they maintain impartiality and fairness, making Soltanov's actions seem even more flagrant. With COP29 on the horizon, the credibility of international climate commitments hangs in the balance.