We published a new report, “Western Complicity and COP29: Azerbaijan’s Authoritarian Petro-Regime Propped Up and Greenwashed by Western Investments,” that exposes western complicity in Azerbaijan’s extractive industries.

Western-backed projects in Azerbaijan, from bp to the EBRD, claim to support the rule of law & reduce emissions. Yet, behind the scenes, Western investments in Azerbaijan often fail to uphold human rights and environmental and social standards.

Further, the research looks at how COP29 is being used to attract fossil fuel investment rather than focusing on meaningful climate commitments.

Read the report here.

With the kickoff of COP29 in Azerbaijan earlier this month, George Washington University's Central Asia Program hosted a virtual panel with Executive Director Kate Watters to discuss emerging research and data point to the fossil fuel industry's significant influence on the summit.

You can watch a recording of the event here.

In tandem with COP29, our work has been featured in various news articles on the host country's lack of environmental and human rights commitments. Take a look at some of them:

"Azerbaijan is the host of the UN’s climate conference, shining a spotlight on the petrostate," AP News

"Oil exporter Azerbaijan is gearing up to host COP29, as it seeks to boost its gas exports," Australian Broadcasting Corporation

"Green Is Not Azerbaijan’s True Colour," Green European Journal

"Azerbaijan Should Never Have Been COP Host," TIME

This Thursday, November 28th, marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic poisoning of school children in the village of Berezovka, Kazakhstan. For information about the community that was permanently impacted by this event, and the connections to the Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field and Western investment in the region’s oil and gas sector, read ICIJ's latest report.

While the 2024 U.S. Election has passed, remember that civic engagement is the heart of a healthy democracy.

Our latest blog entry, "Your Vote Matters: Insights on the 2024 U.S. Election" by Communications Assistant Nathan Reynoso, shares how voting isn’t a safe or accessible right for many in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the broader Eurasia region, and speaking up can come at a high cost. Honor their courage by showing up at future polls and participating in your community beyond the ballot box.

Read the blog entry here.

It's official: Crude Accountability is now on Bluesky. We'll continue to post regular updates on our research, events, and efforts to fight for environmental justice in the Caspian and Black Sea regions.

Follow us @crude-ngo.bsky.social.

You can also find us on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 4th and join us for a night of celebration!

Crude Accountability is thrilled to support the 2024 Community Sentinel Awards presented by FracTracker and Halt the Harm Network! Join us as we honor courageous individuals across the U.S. who are fighting on the front lines of the environmental justice movement.

Learn more about this inspiring event and how to attend here.