Activists denounce presence of big polluters at COP29 in front of OPEC and GEFC pavilions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 November 2024

Contact:

Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International – nicole@priceofoil.org

Activists denounce presence of big polluters at COP29 in front of OPEC and GEFC pavilions

Baku, Azerbaijan – Today, At COP29, in the OPEC and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum  (GECF) pavilions, members of 350.org, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, Oil Change International, and the Pacific Climate Warriors have directly exposed and denounced the presence of the fossil fuel industry at COP29.  Analysis by KBPO shows that more than 1700 fossil fuel lobbyists have been accredited for this COP. 

Joseph Sikulu, 350.org and Pacific Climate Warriors says:

“2024 marks yet another year at COP where we see those fighting the climate crisis outnumbered by those that have contributed to it the most — the fossil fuel industry. How can we achieve the ambition that is needed to save our homes when these negotiations are continually flooded with fossil fuel lobbyists? There is a ban on Tobacco lobbyists from attending the World Health Organization’s summit, why is that not the case for the fossil fuel industry at COP? We demand that the upcoming COP presidencies set clear rules against the presence of fossil fuel interests at the negotiating table. Our lives depend on it.”

Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change International, says: 

“The oil and gas industry’s infiltration of the climate talks is one of the main reasons it’s taken 30 years for the negotiations to tackle fossil fuels, the core driver of the climate crisis. The presence of OPEC and the GECF at COP29 is a symptom of the Global North’s neocolonial approach to fossil fuel extraction across the world and rich countries’ refusal to pay up for climate damages they have caused. We urgently need bold climate finance commitments that deliver the quantity and quality of public finance needed to enable a just transition and strong conflict of interest rules to keep polluters from distracting and delaying the climate talks.”

Nicolas Haeringer, 350.org says:

“OPEC and the GECF are only the tip of this melting  iceberg. In their pavilion, at least they are visible – The fossil fuel industry goes unnoticed while it is represented everywhere at COP29’s negotiations halls.  We need stricter rules so that these lobbyists stop derailing the process and to start,  rich countries from the Global North must pay up. The trillions of dollars we are demanding here in Baku are precisely about that: it is the only fair way that members of OPEC and GECF will be able to phase out fossil fuels”.

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Kick Big Polluters Out’s analysis – Fossil fuel lobbyists eclipse delegations from most climate vulnerable nations at COP29 climate talks