The Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) coalition, comprising Nigerian and other African groups, has condemned the presence of no fewer than 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists at the ongoing COP29 summit in Baku.
The coalition warns that this undermines climate justice for communities most affected by the climate crisis caused by the Global North and corporate interests.
The reaction from Africa MBPP follows an analysis released on Friday by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition, which revealed that more fossil fuel lobbyists, including representatives from oil giants operating across Africa, have been granted access to COP29 than almost any country’s delegation.
Africa MBPP includes prominent environmental rights organizations such as Nigeria-based Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Tell That Story, and South Africa’s Gender CC, among others.
“The presence of 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29 is a stark reminder that the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis are being drowned out by corporate interests.
This space should be filled with grassroots leaders fighting for their communities, not representatives of the very industries fueling the crisis,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.
Similarly, Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, condemned the development, stating: “The most significant disappointment at COP29 is not merely the presence of about 1,773 lobbyists who contribute to the climate crisis, but the fact that they are granted access by a system meant to uphold climate justice.
“Each year without a robust conflict-of-interest policy to exclude those exacerbating the crisis is an implicit invitation for polluters to feign solutions.
“Enough is enough. We must expel Big Polluters from these discussions and make them pay for their actions!”
Neima Hellen, Africa Climate Campaign Director for CAPPA, added: “Every lobbyist here represents a barrier to meaningful climate action.
“Instead of facilitating real change, they are here to protect their profits.
“It’s time to hold these corporations accountable and ensure grassroots activists are front and center in these negotiations.”
According to the KBPO analysis, the 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists registered in Baku are outnumbered only by delegations from the host nation Azerbaijan (2,229), COP30 host Brazil (1,914), and Türkiye (1,862).
KBPO further noted that fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined (1,033), underscoring the disparity in representation.
Many of these lobbyists gained access as part of trade associations. Eight of the top ten trade groups with the most lobbyists hail from the Global North. The largest, the International Emissions Trading Association, brought 43 individuals, including representatives from Big Polluters like TotalEnergies and Glencore.
Other nations also included fossil fuel representatives in their delegations: Japan brought coal giant Sumitomo; Canada included oil producers Suncor and Tourmaline; the UK had 20 lobbyists; and Italy brought representatives from Eni and Enel. Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, and Eni, which collectively sent 39 lobbyists, are also accused of enabling genocide in Palestine by “fueling Israel’s war machine.”
The KBPO findings emerge amidst record-breaking global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions this year, as well as evidence of fossil fuel complicity in genocide through the supply of oil and gas to Israel.
These revelations coincide with reports that major fossil fuel corporations approved $250 billion in new oil and gas projects since COP28.
The overwhelming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists in Baku sharply contrasts with COP29's stated goals, which include ending fossil fuels, rejecting false solutions, and addressing climate finance.
This disparity bolsters calls from Global South countries, public officials, UN constituencies, and civil society to eject polluters from climate talks.
Corporate access at UN climate negotiations extends beyond the fossil fuel industry to include finance, agribusiness, and transportation — though these sectors were not part of this analysis. KBPO identifies fossil fuel lobbyists as entities aiming to influence policies or legislation in favour of fossil fuel corporations and their shareholders.
The persistent presence of fossil fuel representatives at UN climate talks has sparked repeated calls for robust conflict-of-interest policies and accountability measures.
Nearly 70% of the world’s population, as represented by various nations, has demanded action to address this issue.
Thanks to sustained civil society pressure, COP28 became the first summit requiring attendees to disclose their affiliations, revealing many lobbyists who might have previously attended incognito.
Last year, KBPO’s analysis found a historic high of over 2,450 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 in Dubai, up from 636 the year before in Egypt. Despite fewer participants at COP29 (52,305) compared to Dubai (97,372), the fossil fuel industry's presence in Baku remains significant.
The Kick Big Polluters Out campaign is urging the UN climate body and governments to adopt a robust Accountability Framework, prioritizing lives endangered by the climate crisis and rejecting false solutions — similar to measures taken against the tobacco industry at the World Health Organization’s treaty talks.
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