The analysis by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition comes amid a controversy over the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, the head of the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as the president of the upcoming UN climate talks (COP28) in Dubai
Delegates with ties to the world's largest polluting oil and gas firms have attended UN climate talks at least 7,200 times over the last 20 years, according to a coalition of civil society organisations known as the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition.
The analysis raises concerns about the influence of organisations from the countries most responsible for global emissions on climate negotiations. The coalition claims that employees of fossil fuel firms have attended negotiations at least 945 times since COP9 in 2003, and representatives from the 'Big 5' oil giants—ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, and Total Energies—have been granted a minimum of 267 passes.
The coalition argues that fossil fuel interests are being advanced through the attendance of representatives from trade associations representing the world’s largest fossil fuel polluters, with these groups attending COPs at least 6,581 times. To address the potential undue influence of fossil fuel companies, the United Nations has implemented a requirement for delegates attending its annual climate summit to disclose their affiliation.
The analysis highlights concern about the need for more ambitious targets and climate action, particularly in light of reports such as "The 2023 Production Gap Report," which indicates that governments plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Energy Policy Tracker website notes that public financial support for fossil fuels globally exceeded USD 1.7 trillion in 2022, despite promises to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies made at the Glasgow Climate Conference in 2021.
The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), whose members include Exxon, Chevron, and BP, has been granted at least 2,769 passes to attend climate talks since 2003, according to the analysis. The coalition emphasises the need to address the influence of fossil fuel-producing nations and companies in shaping global climate policies.