Greta Thunberg criticizes Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg led a demonstration in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, condemning Azerbaijan’s selection as the host of the UN’s 2024 climate summit, COP29.

Thunberg and fellow activists expressed concern that Azerbaijan, due to its controversial human rights record, is an unsuitable venue for addressing the world’s climate crisis.

Azerbaijan, a key player in the global oil market and the site of the world’s first oil well, has made strides in promoting clean energy initiatives. However, Thunberg and other critics argue that the country’s government is using the summit as a way to distract from its repressive policies, often referred to as "greenwashing."

Thunberg, who rose to fame with her school strike movement for climate action, sharply criticized Azerbaijan’s leadership, describing the nation as "a repressive regime that has committed ethnic cleansing and continues to target civil society." She accused the Azerbaijani government of leveraging the climate talks to present a false image of environmental responsibility while continuing to suppress political freedoms.

“We cannot allow this conference to legitimize an authoritarian government," Thunberg stated at the rally. "This summit should not be used as a cover for human rights violations, especially when the people of Azerbaijan are suffering under an oppressive regime."

Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev since 2003, has faced increasing international criticism for its suppression of political opposition and freedoms of speech and assembly. While the government has pledged to invest in renewable energy, critics argue that these efforts primarily serve to bolster Azerbaijan’s fossil fuel-driven economy.

In addition to Thunberg’s remarks, international observers have expressed concerns about the political environment in Azerbaijan. Earlier this year, Aliyev won a controversial election in which monitors described the process as lacking true political competition. The election followed Azerbaijan’s military victory over ethnic Armenian forces in the Karabakh region, a conflict that resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians.

The rally in Tbilisi comes at a time when the urgency of addressing the climate crisis has never been greater. Recent reports from the European climate service Copernicus have indicated that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures rising toward the dangerous 1.5°C threshold.

Thunberg emphasized the critical nature of climate action, saying, "It is beyond absurd that this summit is taking place in a country that suppresses its people while expanding its petrostate agenda."