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Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Undermine Critical Climate Talks at COP28

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thousands of representatives from the fossil fuel industry have been given access to the COP28 United Nations climate summit in the United Arab Emirates, sparking criticism from human rights groups. Amnesty International's Programme Director of Climate, Economic and Social Justice and Corporate Accountability, Marta Schaaf, expressed concerns that the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists undermines the purpose of the meeting, which is to protect the climate and people from further harm.

Arms dealers are not invited to peace talks, yet the fossil fuel industry, which is causing irreparable damage to the planet, is allowed to participate in climate talks. The head of one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, Sultan Al Jaber, chairs the summit, and the chief executive of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, is presenting unproven technical solutions as a solution to the climate crisis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of lobbyists working on behalf of the fossil fuel industry with access to COP28 has risen to a record of at least 2,456, from 636 at last year's summit.
  • Amnesty International has called on Sultan Al Jaber to resign from his role as chief executive of Adnoc, the UAE state oil and gas company, in order to chair COP28.
  • The human rights group believes a fast, fair, and forever phase-out of all fossil fuels is essential to protect human rights and a must be a priority at COP28.
  • Climate wreckers are being asked for their view on how to fix the damage they have caused, while most of them are planning to expand production of fossil fuels, further warming the planet.
  • The credibility of COP has been damaged due to the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists and industry leaders.
  • The rights to freedom of expression and assembly are severely restricted at this meeting, but the fossil fuel lobby has been offered every opportunity to make its case.

Statistics:

  • 2,456 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry have been given access to COP28.
  • 636 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry had access to last year's summit.
  • 2,439 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry are from major oil and gas companies.
  • 16 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry are from ExxonMobil.

Sources:

  • Amnesty International, "Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP undermines critical climate talks"
  • M2 PressWIRE, "M2 PRESSWIRE-December 5, 2023-: Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP undermines critical climate talks"

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