Big Business and Fossil Fuel Interests Dominate COP26 with 1,000 Staff on Hand

Representatives from major oil and gas companies, including Shell, BP, and Equinor, have sent over 1,000 staff to COP26, a gathering of world leaders focused on saving the planet. The sheer number of industry representatives has raised eyebrows, with climate sceptic groups also in attendance. The presence of multinational corporations like McDonald's, Walmart, and Nestle, as well as pesticide and tobacco firms, has further alarmed environmental groups. Critics argue that the interests of big business and fossil fuel companies should not be prioritized at a conference aimed at addressing climate change.

Key Takeaways:

• 1,000 staff from major oil and gas companies, including Shell, BP, and Equinor, have been sent to COP26.
• 233 individuals linked to fossil fuels have registered to attend the conference, including representatives from Russia, Kuwait, and Japan.
• 141 registered from nuclear power, including the UK's Nuclear Industry Association and the World Nuclear Association.
• Major corporations like McDonald's, Walmart, Bayer, HSBC, PepsiCo, Nestle, and Microsoft have sent delegates to the conference.
• Climate sceptic groups, including one led by former Donald Trump aide Myron Ebell, have also sent representatives to COP26.
• Friends of the Earth's Dr. Richard Dixon has criticized the presence of big oil firms, stating "The last people you want at COP are big oil firms who profit from fuelling climate change."

Statistics:

• 1,000: Number of staff from major oil and gas companies sent to COP26.
• 1,616: Number of pages in the UN's list of 39,000 people signed up to attend COP26.
• 39,000: Total number of people signed up to attend COP26.
• 233: Number of individuals linked to fossil fuels registered to attend the conference.
• 141: Number of registered from nuclear power.
• 1,000+: Number of industry representatives in attendance at COP26.

Sources:

• Patrick Hill and Rob Edwards, The Mirror: "1,000 big business and fossil fuel staff sent to Cop26"
• The Ferret: "COP26: multinational corporations, pesticide producers, and tobacco firms among those registered to attend"