Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Overwhelm COP28 Climate Talks

A record number of 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to the Cop28 climate negotiations, raising concerns about the influence of the fossil fuel industry over the UN summit. The number of industry-affiliated lobbyists in Dubai is almost four times higher than the previous year, outnumbering official Indigenous representatives by seven to one. This highlights the prioritization of oil and gas industry profits over climate action and frontline communities. The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists exceeds the combined total of delegates from the 10 most climate vulnerable countries. The rise in industry lobbyists may be attributed to the host country's plan to promote deals for its national oil and gas companies. Campaigners are calling for a fossil fuel phase-out commitment at Cop28 and an end to the industry's influence in climate policy.