Fossil fuel lobbyists are once again dominating the dialogue at the COP29 climate talks, which are taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. This year, at least 1,773 lobbyists from the coal, oil, and gas industries have been granted access to the discussions, overshadowing delegations from nearly all countries, especially those most affected by climate change. The only delegations with more attendees than the fossil fuel lobbyists belong to the host nation Azerbaijan, Brazil (the upcoming COP30 host), and Turkey.
The analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition uncovers troubling trends at these high-stakes negotiations. Fossil fuel lobbyists alone outnumber the combined representatives of the ten most climate-vulnerable nations, which total just 1,033 delegates. This alarming trend highlights how the interests of industrial giants appear to take precedence over the urgent voices advocating for vulnerable communities facing the brunt of the climate crisis.
The participation of fossil fuel lobbyists isn't just notable for its numbers; it's also significant concerning the companies and interests they represent. Major groups, especially from the Global North, like TotalEnergies and Glencore, have sent large delegations to the conference. For example, Japan included Sumitomo, a coal giant, as part of its contingent, and Canada brought lobbyists from oil producers Suncor and Tourmaline. Meanwhile, delegates from the UK represent companies directly contributing to climate degradation, including Chevron and BP, which are linked to fueling geopolitical conflicts, particularly the situation in Palestine.
Nnimmo Bassey, from the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, remarked on the situation, comparing the fossil fuel lobby’s influence to “a venomous snake coiling around the very future of our planet.” He emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the voices of justice and sustainability over the interests of polluters. This sentiment resonates deeply as the evidence of global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions hitting record highs reflects the dire state of our environment.
Significantly, the presence of the fossil fuel industry at climate dialogues raises questions about the integrity and intention of the UN’s climate actions. The conference's goals include phasing out fossil fuels and addressing climate finance, yet evidence shows the fossil fuel sector continues to maneuver from within to protect its interests. Beyrra Triasdian from Trend Asia commented on this pervasive industry influence, stating, “We are continually dictated by the fossil fuel industry.” The impacts of climate change, such as frequent droughts and floods, are hitting home harder than ever, especially for communities directly facing these challenges.
Each year, the calls for the UN climate talks to restrict or ban fossil fuel representatives grow louder. Last year's changes requiring lobbyists to disclose their affiliations revealed how many people were acting behind the scenes at previous conferences. Owing to mounting civil pressure, COP28 marked the first time such disclosures were obligatory, exposing many previous attendees.
Despite these changes, the number of lobbyists from the fossil fuel sector remains consistently high, echoing the industry’s historical presence at UN climate talks since they began. Stakeholders are increasingly urging for more stringent conflict-of-interest policies to address these issues and limit the participation of polluting industries.
Another concerning aspect revealed was the reported collusion between conference organizers and fossil fuel interests. A recent video surfaced featuring Azerbaijan's deputy energy minister, who was caught agreeing to facilitate oil deals at COP29. This type of insider dealing raises alarm bells about the integrity of the negotiations.
The situation has sparked criticism not only from activists but also from established climate policy experts. Following the emergence of the fossil fuel lobby's prominence, many are questioning whether COP summits can realistically fulfill their original mission. Al Gore articulated this sentiment by stating, “The fossil fuel industry has seized control of COP.”
Participants from grassroots organizations, like Dawda Cham of Help Gambia, share similar frustrations. He points out the heartbreaking irony: the very entities responsible for climate degradation are dictifying terms of climate action, undermining both the efficacy of these discussions and the needs of vulnerable communities.
This year, discussions are centered on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which addresses financial commitments from developed nations to support developing countries' climate resilience efforts. While these nations previously pledged $100 billion yearly to assist vulnerable countries, they have fallen short of this commitment. Delegates expect meaningful outcomes from dialogues, especially as the amounts have not been reached until 2022, and negotiations for future increases are underway this year.
There is also the contentious proposition by developed nations to expand the base of contributing countries to include “new polluters” like China and Russia. African negotiators express their reluctance to support such measures, wary of offending key trading partners.
With the stakes higher than ever, the presence of fossil fuel industry representatives at COP29 raises pressing questions about the efficacy and direction of climate negotiations. Advocates and concerned citizens alike watch closely as they navigate the complex interplay of fossil fuel lobbying amid urgent calls for genuine climate action.
Simply put, the contrasts observed at COP29 paint a disheartening picture of the climate talks. The overwhelming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists versus the limited representation of countries facing the dire consequences of climate change lays bare the tough challenges to combating climate issues effectively. The ways forward are clear: advocates must remain persistent, ensuring their voices are louder than the industry giants overshadowing these pivotal discussions.
