In Naftalan, Azerbaijan, where the COP29 climate talks are taking place, locals embrace their oil with pride, claiming health benefits derived from the area's unique crude deposits. Just a four-hour drive from Baku, Naftalan is home to health resorts that attract visitors from across the former Soviet Union seeking therapeutic oil baths drawn from depths of half a mile. The experience of bathing in this thick, chocolate-colored oil leads to a peculiar reflection on the nation's history and economy.

The juxtaposition of Azerbaijan's traditional reliance on oil against the global push for reducing fossil fuel emissions raises important questions. COP29 attendees grapple with the irony of discussing climate action in a nation steeped in oil production, celebrated for its historical contribution to major events, such as the victory over the Nazis during World War II.

While locals tout the healing properties of Naftalan's oil, this resource is finite. Recent estimates indicate that the recoverable deposits of what is referred to as "medical" oil are already halfway depleted. This stark reality serves both as a reminder of the need for sustainable innovations and as a celebration of a unique cultural heritage tied to oil.

As COP29 progresses in Baku, the conversations surrounding Azerbaijan’s oil will continue to evolve, ideally steering the narrative towards a balanced understanding of legacy, sustainability, and the future of energy resources. The intricate relationship between healing and harming, tradition and modernity, serves as a critical lens through which to view the complex dynamics of climate discussions in a petrostate.