Record number (2456) of fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to the UN climate summit (COP28) and their number is more than all the delegates from the ten most vulnerable countries (1509), mainly the small island and least developed nations, underscoring how industry presence is dwarfing that of those on the frontlines of the crisis, said the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition in its analysis released this week. The Summit presidency, however, said the COP28 has dedicated spaces and platforms for all voices to be heard as part of its commitment to delivering an inclusive COP.
The Coalition – an umbrella body of more than 450 organisations across the globe united in demanding an end to the ability of big polluters to write the rules of climate action – said the 2456 fossil fuel lobbyists are only outnumbered by the 3081 people brought by Brazil (which is expected to host COP30 in 2025), and the UAE (4409) which is the host nation of the COP28.
On specific question by TOI on whether the lobbyists are swarming the COP28, the COP28 spokesperson said, “As part of our commitment to delivering an inclusive COP, COP28 has dedicated spaces and platforms for all voices to be heard across both the Blue (official delegates, observers and media) and Green Zone (NGOs, think tanks, advocacy groups and industries).
“We continue to welcome applications to the COP28 Voice for Action Hub, where people are already assembling peacefully around a variety of topics. All applications in the Blue Zone are reviewed exclusively by UNFCCC under the longstanding guidelines determined by them. Applications in the Green Zone are managed by the host country and are reviewed using the same UNFCCC guidelines from the Blue Zone.”
The Coalition, on the other hand, in its analysis pointed out that there has been an “explosion of fossil fuel lobbyists” heading to UN talks, with nearly four times more than were granted access last year. “This uptick coincides with a COP where fossil fuels and their phaseout are a focal point,” said the KBPO.
Citing examples, it said France brought fossil fuel giants such as TotalEnergies and EDF as part of its country delegation, Italy brought a team of ENI representatives, and the European Union brought employees of BP, ENI and ExxonMobil.
It said, “Vast number of fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the COP as part of a trade association. Nine out of the ten biggest of these groups came from the Global North (developed countries). The largest was the Geneva-based International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), who brought 116 people including representatives from Big Polluters Shell, TotalEnergies and Norway’s Equinor.”
The KBPO analysis suggests that such a big number of fossil fuel lobbyists signals that “COP28 is being used by Big Polluters as an opportunity to advance a fossil-fuelled agenda at the expense of frontline communities, there are more than seven times the number of fossil fuel lobbyists permitted entry to the Dubai talks than official indigenous representatives (316)”
“Unprecedented access of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 raises serious concerns about the integrity of the conference, especially as it is poised to make critical decisions on fossil fuel phase-out. The involvement of these lobbyists within rich country delegations starkly contrasts with their public stance as climate leaders, exposing a deep-seated hypocrisy,” said Harjeet Singh, the director of global engagement for the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative.
Responding to a question from TOI, he said, “This year’s COP28 is marred by the blatant influence of fossil fuel corporations, undermining its credibility. To make meaningful progress in equitably phasing out fossil fuels, it is fundamental to root out the influence of these powerful lobbies.”
The KBPO analysis noted that the corporate access and lobbying at UN climate talks isn’t limited to the fossil fuel industry. It said other polluting industries deeply implicated in the climate crisis such as agribusinesses and transportation are also present, although they are not included in this analysis.
Noting that the estimate is likely to be conservative, the analysis said the KBPO only counts delegates who openly disclose their connections to fossil fuel interests, and not those who access the talks using a different professional affiliation.
“The COP28 is unprecedented with lots of influence of oil lobbyist in the COP venue. The COP28 President assured before the Summit that his aim is to facilitate energy transition and ensure Loss and Damage Fund as the outcomes. While the fund has been agreed, the presence of fossil fuels lobbyist would undermine the efforts to phase out fossil fuels in an equitable manner,” said Sanjay Vashist, director, Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA).
The KBPO report shows that the top ten biggest trade associations in attendance representing the fossil fuel industry are International Emissions Trading Association (116), Clean Resource Innovation Network (60), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (54), World Business Council for Sustainable Development (49), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (32), Carbon Capture and Storage Association (28), Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America (27), International Chamber of Commerce (26), Carbon Market Institute Limited (23) and BusinessEurope (18).
