Anti-corruption NGO Transparency International, supported by 264 rights groups and individuals, has called on the United Nations’ climate change agency to address the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists on climate negotiations. As outlined in a letter sent Tuesday, they urged the leadership of the upcoming 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) to challenge what are perceived as undue influences from high-polluting industries (Jurist).
The recommendations in the letter include the implementation of new rules to tackle conflicts of interest and enhance transparency standards. Such measures would exclude fossil fuel lobbyists from state delegations, requiring all participants to disclose their affiliations. Additionally, the proposals call for future COP hosts to show tangible progress towards climate goals and urge an end to partnerships between the COP Presidency and fossil fuel lobbies.
Historically, the COP climate conference series has attracted criticism for hosting a significant number of representatives from high-emission sectors. At last year’s COP29 in Baku, the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists was notably disproportionate. Similar influence concerns were raised when COP28 was hosted in Dubai, a major oil-producing hub.
Alarmingly, 2024 marked the first year that global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels as identified in the Paris Agreement, while fossil fuel consumption reached unprecedented levels. This trajectory raises concerns about surpassing the “tipping point,” a concept highlighted in the IPCC report, which implies potentially irreversible climate damage.
COP30 will be hosted by Brazil from November 10 to November 21, 2025. Ensuring the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement by member states is a key priority for this year’s conference (UNFCCC).