Azerbaijan, which is hosting this year’s UN climate talks, is set to increase its fossil fuel production by a third over the next decade, according to analysis shared exclusively with the Guardian. The forecast suggests the Cop29 host will increase its annual gas output by around 12 billion cubic metres (bcm) over the next 10 years, seen as a crucial period in which world leaders must cut fossil fuel output if they hope to curb global warming. Azerbaijan owns one of the world's largest gas fields, Shah Deniz in the Caspian Sea, and according to data obtained by campaign group Global Witness from analysts at Rystad Energy , the country is expected to extract 411 billion cubic meters of gas over the next 10 years. This would produce 781 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, more than double the UK's annual carbon emissions. The figures are based on an analysis of Azerbaijan's current gas production, plus its reserves approved for development and those assessed by oil and gas companies but not yet approved for development. They suggest that the country's annual gas production is likely to increase from an estimated 37 billion cubic meters this year to 49 billion cubic meters per year in 2033. (Jillian Ambrose Energy, the Guardian)