Fossil Fuel Interests Dominate UN Climate Talks Despite Environmental Impact, Analysis Finds

Nearly 400 individuals linked to fossil fuel industries attended the UN climate talks last year, overshadowing national delegations and influencing the negotiation process; activists claim their concerns are being sidelined.

Nearly 400 individuals with links to the fossil fuel industries attended the United Nations climate talks last year, making the grouping larger than all but two of the national delegations sent by countries.
Several fossil fuel companies and industry representatives actively participate in the climate talks, exerting significant influence and hindering crucial policy decisions for climate action.
Prominent emissions contributors like BP, Shell, Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Saudi Aramco, along with other oil and gas firms, were represented at last year's climate talks.
Environmental activists claim their voices are not being heard, with the political and economic influence of fossil fuel interests reportedly overshadowing their grievances and policy proposals.
Changes have been put in place for the upcoming climate talks, with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requiring attendees to state their affiliation and relationship to their delegation to improve transparency.