news
- Lobbyists outnumber national delegations: At least 480 lobbyists advocating for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are attending COP29, exceeding the core national delegations of countries like the US and Canada.
- Fossil fuel interests dominate: Around 1,773 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists are present at COP29, with many representing major oil and gas companies under the banner of trade associations.
- CCS technology raises concerns: Critics argue that CCS technology may prolong fossil fuel activities rather than transition to cleaner energy sources, potentially undermining meaningful climate action at COP29.
At least 480 lobbyists advocating for CCS technologies are attending COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Despite the annual summit dropping by 15,000 in total participants from last year to 70,000, the presence of CCS lobbyists has grown, with five more granted access this year than at COP28, the Guardian reported.
The number of CCS lobbyists at COP29 exceeds the core national delegations of countries such as the US and Canada.
Almost half of the CCS lobbyists are attending as members of national delegations, with 55 invited as guests of the host Azerbaijan’s government, allowing for greater access to negotiations.
On Friday, environmental advocacy group Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) revealed that around 1,773 coal, oil and gas lobbyists are present at COP29. KBPO analysis found that more fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the conference than the combined number of delegates from the ten most climate-vulnerable nations in attendance.
Read the full post at Energy Monitor.
