*The revelations come just ahead of the COP29 climate change conference, prompting criticism and raising concerns about the integrity of the event.*
**COP29 Executive Exposed in Fossil Fuel Deal Scandal**
**COP29 Executive Exposed in Fossil Fuel Deal Scandal**
*Secret footage reveals Elnur Soltanov discussing arrangements for oil and gas investments.*
A senior official involved in the COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan has been caught on hidden camera discussing potential fossil fuel investment opportunities, raising significant ethical concerns as the summit approaches. Elnur Soltanov, the chief executive of the Azerbaijani COP29 team and deputy energy minister, was filmed arranging a meeting with an individual posing as a potential investor interested in the state oil and gas firm, Socar.
In the secret recording, which has been shared by the BBC, Soltanov can be heard discussing "investment opportunities" within Azerbaijan's energy sector. "We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed," he enthusiastically remarked, highlighting the country's extensive oil and gas resources. His comments have elicited outrage from proponents of the COP process, who argue that such actions undermine the conference's goal of combating climate change.
The revelation comes as Azerbaijan prepares to host the 29th annual UN climate summit, where global leaders convene to discuss strategies for addressing climate change. Critics, including former UN climate officials, have declared Soltanov's behavior as "completely unacceptable" and tantamount to a "betrayal" of the COP process.
Documents and recordings provided by the human rights group Global Witness show that a representative posed as the head of a fictitious investment firm from Hong Kong interested in sponsoring COP29. During a subsequent arranged meeting, Soltanov discussed potential energy projects, including the development of new pipeline infrastructure, while also promoting Azerbaijan's ambition to increase natural gas production.
Despite declaring the conference's commitment to "solving the climate crisis" and transitioning from fossil fuels, Soltanov appeared to welcome discussions about oil and gas investments, even offering to facilitate connections between the fictitious company and Socar for joint ventures.
Such dealings raise serious questions about the integrity of the COP process, particularly as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently warned that expanding fossil fuel production is incompatible with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres condemned Soltanov's behavior as "a treason" to the COP initiative.
With COP29 set to commence in Baku on Monday, the allegations of misconduct have cast doubt on the event's proceedings, reminiscent of last year's concerns surrounding COP28 when UAE officials were reported to be attempting to leverage their role as host for oil and gas agreements. As COP29 draws nearer, scrutiny of Azerbaijan’s approach to climate negotiations continues to intensify.
Azerbaijan's COP29 team and Socar have thus far remained silent regarding the reported allegations, leaving many to wonder about the true commitment of the host nation to achieving meaningful climate action.
In the secret recording, which has been shared by the BBC, Soltanov can be heard discussing "investment opportunities" within Azerbaijan's energy sector. "We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed," he enthusiastically remarked, highlighting the country's extensive oil and gas resources. His comments have elicited outrage from proponents of the COP process, who argue that such actions undermine the conference's goal of combating climate change.
The revelation comes as Azerbaijan prepares to host the 29th annual UN climate summit, where global leaders convene to discuss strategies for addressing climate change. Critics, including former UN climate officials, have declared Soltanov's behavior as "completely unacceptable" and tantamount to a "betrayal" of the COP process.
Documents and recordings provided by the human rights group Global Witness show that a representative posed as the head of a fictitious investment firm from Hong Kong interested in sponsoring COP29. During a subsequent arranged meeting, Soltanov discussed potential energy projects, including the development of new pipeline infrastructure, while also promoting Azerbaijan's ambition to increase natural gas production.
Despite declaring the conference's commitment to "solving the climate crisis" and transitioning from fossil fuels, Soltanov appeared to welcome discussions about oil and gas investments, even offering to facilitate connections between the fictitious company and Socar for joint ventures.
Such dealings raise serious questions about the integrity of the COP process, particularly as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently warned that expanding fossil fuel production is incompatible with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres condemned Soltanov's behavior as "a treason" to the COP initiative.
With COP29 set to commence in Baku on Monday, the allegations of misconduct have cast doubt on the event's proceedings, reminiscent of last year's concerns surrounding COP28 when UAE officials were reported to be attempting to leverage their role as host for oil and gas agreements. As COP29 draws nearer, scrutiny of Azerbaijan’s approach to climate negotiations continues to intensify.
Azerbaijan's COP29 team and Socar have thus far remained silent regarding the reported allegations, leaving many to wonder about the true commitment of the host nation to achieving meaningful climate action.
