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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Activists demand action as fossil fuel lobbyists surpass delegates

Health & Science

By Mactilda Mbenywe | Nov 16, 2024

**Climate activists stage a protest to demand a phase-out of fossil fuels during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku on November 15, 2024.**[AFP]

At least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists have secured access to the COP29, raising alarm over their big presence at the key climate negotiations.

These lobbyists in Azerbaijan outnumber delegates from nearly every country, according to a report by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition. Only Azerbaijan, Brazil, and Turkey sent larger delegations.

The report indicates the disproportionate representation of polluting industries compared to climate-vulnerable nations.

Delegates from the ten most vulnerable countries collectively number just 1,033—fewer than the fossil fuel lobbyists.

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Many lobbyists are attending as part of trade associations, with the International Emissions Trading Association leading the pack by sending 43 representatives, including members from Total Energies and Glencore.

Others joined national delegations. Japan included a representative from coal giant Sumitomo, while Canada brought delegates from Suncor and Tourmaline. The United Kingdom registered 20 lobbyists, and Italy included employees from Eni and Enel.

The report comes as activists staged one of this year’s major protests—a larger-than-life snake display with the slogan “Weed Out the Snakes,” calling for the removal of major polluters and fossil fuel lobbyists from climate talks.

Jax Bongon, whose organisation is part of the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition, termed the presence of pro-fossil fuel delegates as “outrageous”. “Would you invite an arsonist to put out the fire?”

Demonstrators hoisted the fire-coloured serpent on their shoulders and heads. Together, their hisses filled the tent, bringing ‘the snake’ to life.

Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa, noted that, “This constant presence has delayed and weakened progress for years.”

“The industry’s financial priorities fundamentally oppose the urgent phase out of fossil fuels needed to address the climate crisis,” he added.

Adow stated that it’s a sign that the COP summits are a genuine threat to the fossil fuel era that so many dirty energy lobbyists feel the need to come and try and disrupt these talks.

“The world is seeing the benefits of clean, cheap, renewables and the fossil fuel industry is desperate to stop the momentum we have built in the last few years,” he said, adding, “It’s very disappointing that so many dirty energy operatives are allowed to go and pollute the climate talks. It’s like inviting big tobacco to attend a meeting on tackling lung cancer.

“It’s crucial that we prevent them from derailing climate action and ensure a strong outcome at COP29.”

This year’s numbers follow a troubling trend. At COP28 in Dubai, 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists—nearly three percent of attendees—were present. Whilst COP29’s turnout is lower, with approximately 70,000 attendees, yet 1.5 percent are linked to the fossil fuel sector. The KBPO report revealed how the presence of these lobbyists distorts negotiations and undermines progress.