Unprecedented surge in fossil fuel industry registrations for COP28 may amplify COP28's existing contentiousness
With over 80,000 participants, COP28's registration numbers surpass even last year's COP27 in Egypt by double, yielding an impressive increase in fossil fuel industry attendees. As per a report by the Kick the Big Polluters coalition, an astounding 2,456 representatives from fossil fuel industries have registered, surpassing the 636 that participated in COP27.
This substantial increase in attendee numbers from the fossil fuel sector raises concerns about the capacity of these industries to significantly impact global climate negotiations. Coincidentally, COP28 hosts United Arab Emirates and Brazil, who face criticism for their reliance on fossil fuels, underscores the potential conflict of interest these industries present.
The United Nations' recent decision to require lobbyists for fossil fuels to declare their affiliations before attending the COP28 summit facilitates the analysis of attendee lists. Such analysis reveals that lobbyists from fossil fuels industries possess more badges than delegates from all ten climate-vulnerable countries combined, adding weight to concerns of undue influence in global climate negotiations.
Lili Fuhr, deputy director of the climate and energy program at the Center for International Environmental Law, expressed her concerns about the potential influence on government actions to achieve a full withdrawal from fossil fuels, protection of public politics from such lobbying influence, and upholding the global warming target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Although Al Jaber, the COP28 President, defended his commitment to climate goals and science following criticism of his previous statements, many scientists and advocacy groups harbor growing concerns regarding COP28's ambitions. Al Jaber maintained at a recorded panel discussion recently that there's no scientific basis to support the need for a complete transition away from fossil fuels as a means of achieving the 1.5-degree target.
Despite this seemingly contradictory stance, fossil fuel industry involvement in COP28 has flared up considerable debates. For example, revelations of record-breaking attendance from fossil fuel lobbyists, alleged greenwashing practices by sponsors, and conflicts of interest associated with involvement in voluntary carbon markets, have all cast shadows over COP28's credibility and promises to combat climate change effectively.
In light of these concerns, Fern Sussman, an environmental lawyer, expresses her doubt that COP28 can achieve its intended objectives: "Unless they make meaningful progress in ending fossil fuel subsidies and really commit to a just transition, COP28 is going to be a failure." Taking into consideration the increasing presence of fossil fuel representatives at COP28, it seems that achieving a significant leap forward in climate negotiations remains elusive.
