A record number of fossil fuel lobbyists are attending UN climate talks

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Nearly 2,500 fossil fuel lobbyists are estimated to have been granted access to the COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, according to an analysis by advocacy groups, reflecting a sharp increase from last year.

A report published Tuesday by the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition found that at least 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists had registered to attend the two-week summit. This is more than the delegations of almost all other countries, with the exception of Brazil (3,081) and COP28 hosts the United Arab Emirates (4,409), the analysis said.

The findings come at the halfway point of COP28, with the struggle over the future of fossil fuels taking center stage.

Activists say the number of fossil fuel lobbyists attending the talks is “beyond justification” and suggests polluting industries are seeking to advance the fossil fuel agenda at the expense of frontline communities.

However, others, including former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, said the participation of major oil companies in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) should be welcomed.

International Energy Agency He said In the lead-up to the talks, the oil and gas industry is facing a “moment of truth” about its role in the global energy system and the worsening climate crisis.

A COP28 spokesperson was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

“2023 has been a year like no other. Record temperatures, record levels of emissions, and now we are seeing a record presence of major polluters at UN climate talks,” said Mohamed Lamin Saedikhan, Head of Movement Power Building at the International Climate Action Network. Global network of civil society organizations.

“The window for preserving a habitable planet is rapidly closing. At the same time, greater numbers of big polluters are being allowed to roam around this peak, which communities on the front lines cannot afford to fail again,” they added.

The surge in the number of fossil fuel lobbyists attending UN climate talks follows a growing call from government officials, UN departments and civil society groups to remove polluters from the talks.

For many at the UN talks, which will be held in Dubai until December 12, COP28 can only be recognized as a success if it leads to an agreement to phase out all fossil fuels, the burning of which is essential. The main driver of the climate crisis.

And not everyone is on board with calls for a phaseout. Russia has He said It will oppose the use of this language in the final agreement, while the United Arab Emirates, host of COP28, has done so pointed out Its preference for gradual reduction.

The language of the final agreement will be closely monitored. A “phase-out” commitment would likely require a shift away from fossil fuels until their use is eliminated, while a “phasing-out” could signal a reduction in their use – but not the absolute end.

There is also debate over whether the agreement should focus on “diluted” fossil fuels, which are captured and stored with carbon capture and storage technologies. Fossil fuels are ‘unabated’. Pretty much understandable To be produced and used without significant reductions in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

In an unprecedented start to proceedings on Thursday, delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) sealed the details of a landmark agreement to help the world’s most vulnerable countries pay for the impacts of climate disasters.

Since then, a series of announcements from the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) have sought to help decarbonize the energy sector, with nearly 120 governments pledging on Saturday to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.