Azerbaijan's Climate Conference in Baku is being used by President Ilham Aliyev to improve his international image, despite concerns about authoritarian governance and reliance on oil exports.
The government is promoting Azerbaijan as a climate-friendly nation through initiatives like electric buses and rental bicycles. However, critics argue that this green facade distracts from pressing environmental and human rights challenges, including repression of activists and journalists.
Azerbaijan faces environmental issues such as water scarcity and poor water management, worsened by climate change. The government's response to these challenges has been criticized for lack of action and corruption. While some progress has been made in halting deforestation, other issues like wastewater management and pollution from oil production remain unaddressed.
The government's renewable energy investments are seen as attempts to improve its international image rather than a genuine commitment to sustainability. The conference being hosted by Azerbaijan raises questions about the country's environmental commitments, given its historical neglect of ecological responsibilities. The international community must consider the implications of allowing a nation with a poor human rights record and questionable environmental track record to host such a significant event.
The outcomes of this summit could have lasting implications for both Azerbaijan and the global approach to climate action and human rights advocacy.