At least 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to the Cop28 climate negotiations, according to an analysis conducted by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition. This record number of lobbyists raises further questions about the influence of the fossil fuel industry over this year's UN summit, which is being overseen by the president of the United Arab Emirates' national oil company.

The presence of oil and gas lobbyists in Dubai is unprecedented, with almost four times as many industry-affiliated lobbyists as those registered for Cop27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, which was already a record year. Lobbyists representing companies like Shell, Total, and ExxonMobil outnumber almost every country delegation, second only to Brazil, which is expected to host Cop30 in 2025, and the host country itself, with 4,409 attendees registered.

The dominance of fossil fuel lobbyists is particularly striking when compared to the number of official Indigenous representatives, outnumbering them seven to one. Campaigners argue that this disparity reflects the prioritization of oil and gas industry profits over the well-being of frontline communities and a sustainable planet.

Caroline Muturi, a coordinator at the campaign group Ibon Africa, expressed concern over the dynamics within these spaces, stating that the Cop negotiations have become a platform for corporations to "greenwash" their polluting businesses and divert attention from real climate action.

These findings come at a time when the world is facing catastrophic climate events, including extreme weather conditions that are intensified by the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists assert that such destructive storms, droughts, and heatwaves would have been nearly impossible without the warming caused by these fuels. Consequently, there is increasing momentum among vulnerable countries to secure a commitment to phase out fossil fuels at Cop28. However, major polluting countries are still hesitant to make such a commitment.

Rachel Rose Jackson, a research director at Corporate Accountability, expressed frustration, emphasizing that if Cop28 fails to deliver a fossil fuel phase-out, the blame lies with those who prioritize the interests of the fossil fuel industry. The KBPO coalition, consisting of over 450 organizations worldwide, is calling for an end to the influence of fossil fuel companies in climate policy.

The data on lobbyists was compiled by Corporate Accountability, Global Witness, and Corporate Europe Observatory from the UN's provisional list of around 84,000 participants at Cop28. It is considered the most extensive study into the presence of the fossil fuel industry at any climate negotiations to date.

Notably, the host country's plan to use the climate meetings to promote deals for its national oil and gas companies was revealed, casting doubt on the impartiality of the summit. The Cop president, Sultan Al Jaber, was recorded downplaying the need for a fossil fuel phase-out to combat global heating. However, it is worth noting that such close relations between states and industries are not limited to the UAE. France, Italy, and the European Union also included representatives from major fossil fuel companies in their delegations.

David Tong of Oil Change International likened the presence of fossil fuel companies at the climate negotiations to inviting arms dealers to a peace conference. Tong emphasized the importance of achieving a swift and complete phase-out of fossil fuels in order to address the urgency of the climate crisis.

KBPO's definition of a fossil fuel company includes any business with significant interests in the exploration, extraction, refining, trading, or specialized transportation of oil, gas, or coal. Last year, KBPO's analysis identified 636 fossil fuel lobbyists at Cop27, representing a 25% increase from the previous year in Glasgow.

While it is difficult to measure direct industry influence at the talks, various sectors, including finance, agribusiness, and transportation, have also been implicated in the climate crisis. Despite nearly three decades of climate negotiations and overwhelming scientific evidence, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. It is crucial to address the conflict of interest stemming from industry influence at the United Nations framework convention on climate change to ensure meaningful progress in achieving climate justice for frontline communities.

The presence of a record number of fossil fuel lobbyists at Cop28 underscores the urgent need to confront the power and influence of the fossil fuel industry in shaping climate policies. As the climate crisis intensifies, it is imperative that global leaders prioritize the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants over the profits of polluting industries.