The Cop29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, has drawn criticism as over 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists gained access to the negotiations, outnumbering delegations from most participating countries, according to the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition.
These lobbyists represent the coal, oil, and gas industries, raising concerns about their influence on critical discussions addressing the climate crisis.
The disparity is stark: while the ten most climate-vulnerable nations sent a combined total of 1,033 delegates, the fossil fuel industry’s representatives eclipse their presence.
Many lobbyists attended as part of trade associations or were included in national delegations, such as Canada and Japan, which brought representatives from energy giants.
Sarah McArthur of the UK Youth Climate Coalition expressed concern about the fossil fuel industry’s influence, stating, “The industry’s presence has delayed and weakened progress for years. Their financial motives oppose the urgent phaseout of fossil fuels needed to combat the climate crisis.”
Activists demand fossil fuel exclusion from talks to prioritize urgent climate action and equity.The findings also spotlight oil producers like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell, which collectively brought 39 lobbyists.
Some of these companies were noted for their connections to controversial operations globally.
This year’s Cop29 attendance figures show approximately 70,000 participants, with fossil fuel-linked lobbyists accounting for 1.5%.
While slightly lower than last year’s Dubai summit, which saw 2,456 lobbyists, the numbers remain a concern for climate activists.
Critics argue that the industry’s involvement undermines efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. Activists have long called for the exclusion of polluting industries from climate negotiations.
Despite new disclosure requirements for affiliations, critics see these measures as insufficient to curb the fossil fuel sector’s sway.
As the climate crisis intensifies, calls to prioritize the voices of vulnerable nations and reduce industry interference are growing louder.
For meaningful progress, experts emphasize the need for transparent and fair negotiations focused on phasing out fossil fuels.