In 2021, news broke that fossil fuel lobbyists were the largest delegation at last year’s U.N. climate talks.
In fact, with more than 500 delegates, there were more lobbyists representing Big Polluters at these talks than there were delegates from the eight countries that are most affected by climate change. And this year, Big Polluters are attempting to influence the climate talks again, sending as many as 636 delegates to attend these negotiations.
Working closely again with our allies at Corporate Europe Observatory and Global Witness, we analyzed the list of registered participants of this year’s U.N. climate talks, known as COP27.
Our shared analysis was published this morning by the BBC. And it exposes just how widespread the influence of Big Polluters is at the global climate talks: they’re in the room, and we know they’re pulling strings to advance their agenda to continue polluting and profiting while fueling the climate crisis.
This is not only unacceptable, but also deeply unjust. Big Polluters shouldn’t be at these talks at all, let alone have a say in the negotiations that need to take urgent action. Instead, they must be held accountable and be made to pay for the abuses they have committed, and continue to commit for the last several decades.
As the first week of negotiations winds down, we need to continue putting pressure on delegates from Global North countries – especially the U.S. government — who are acting in lock-step with Big Polluters.
That’s where you come in: Your voice, along with thousands of others, can make clear to world governments that we’re watching, and we expect them to act on behalf of people, not corporate profits.
You may know that this year, COP27 is taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. But while it’s being heralded as “the African COP,” the reality on the ground couldn’t be more different.
Ahead of this pivotal moment for climate justice, many climate justice activists were censored or cornered into silence. And, this year’s climate talks are being used to set the scene for a great African gas grab, with Global North governments and Big Polluters striking deals to get rich off the backs of African communities across the continent.
We cannot stay silent. Our demands to world governments are simple: no more false solutions and no more polluter interference. This means that Big Polluters must be kicked out of climate policymaking processes and they should not be allowed to bankroll or sponsor any climate talks now or in the future.
