Fossil Fuels at COP30: Lobbyists Outnumber Most Delegations

Data from the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition says that more than 1,600 lobbyists representing fossil fuel interests were granted access to COP30.

The figures suggest that representatives from the oil, gas and coal sectors outnumber the delegation of every nation in attendance, with the exception of Brazil, which is hosting the event.

The summit failed to secure new pledges to cut fossil fuels after running over negotiating time by more than 18 hours.

Hidden affiliations at COP30

A report published by Transparency International says that more than half of all delegation members at COP30 have withheld or obscured details of their affiliations.

It says that 54% of participants in national delegations either did not disclose the type of affiliation they have or selected a vague category such as “Guest” or “Other”.

A number of national delegations, among them Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and Mexico, failed to disclose the affiliation of any delegate holding a Party badge.

“President Lula has called for a COP of truth, but there can be no truth without transparency,” says Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International.

At COP29 in Azerbaijan, nearly one in six participants failed to disclose details of their affiliations, with many linked to fossil fuel interests.

“This pattern is repeating at COP30,” says Maíra, “with more than half of all delegation members withholding or obscuring their affiliations, threatening to undermine trust and tilt decisions away from the needs of people and the planet.”

Industry representatives face scrutiny

Kick Big Polluters Out says that 148 fossil fuel lobbyists are affiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce, 60 with the International Emissions Trading Association and 41 with the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry.

Representatives from major oil and gas corporations Exxon Mobil, BP and TotalEnergies were identified among those registered with the International Emissions Trading Association.

Several high-emission entities have also been incorporated as guests within the Presidency’s Host Country Delegation.

Brice Böhmer, Climate and Environment Lead at Transparency International, warns that obfuscation within national delegations risks concealing conflicts of interest that work against the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Transparency is the cornerstone of trust in global climate negotiations,” Brice explains. “Yet, at COP30, thousands of delegates still do not share enough information, most from within national delegations.”

Credibility questions and demonstrations

The dispute has contributed to wider concerns regarding the credibility of the COP framework itself.

Beyond the conference facility, Indigenous and non-Indigenous campaigners obstructed access to the summit location, calling on the Brazilian government to stop mining, logging, oil drilling and rail projects in the Amazon.

Security measures were enhanced and extended queues developed for delegates attempting to enter the site.

François Gemenne, Professor of Economics and Decision Sciences at HEC Paris, asks: “Who should be seated at the negotiation table? When faced with global issues, are governments still our best representatives?”

Achievements at COP30

Despite disputes, developments on climate action took place at the summit.

The approval of the Belém Health Action Plan, underpinned by US$300m from prominent philanthropies including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation, has been acknowledged as a meaningful advancement.

Spearheaded by Brazil’s Environment Minister Marina Silva, countries including the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Colombia and Kenya signalled their support for a coalition to deliver on previous promises to transition away from fossil fuels.

However, the Climate Action Tracker’s updated report showed that the world is still on track for a catastrophic 2.6°C increase in temperature, with emissions from fossil fuels hitting a record high.

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