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Friday, November 15, 2024

#COP29BAKU---Oil Lobby at Conference---DIVERSITY INCLUSION CLASH

//WHITE LIGHTNING AI RESEARCH/11/15/24/1130PST//

#COP29Baku Oil Lobby DEI 11/15/24/1111PST: Various #climate sensitive agencies are reporting presence of major petroleum reps, many tagged along with the delegates. Negative criticism causing many to doubt the future of the conference. Keep in mind the world is now engaged in a #DEI upheaval, which means the other side should also have a voice. 


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oil lobbyists hold cop29 baku hostage

The COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan has been marred by controversy over the significant presence of fossil fuel industry lobbyists, raising concerns about their influence on climate negotiations. Here are the key points:

Fossil Fuel Lobby Presence

A report by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition revealed that at least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to COP29
4
. This number exceeds the delegations of almost every country at the conference, with only Azerbaijan, Brazil, and Turkey having larger representations
4
.The lobbyists outnumber the combined delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations, which have only 1,033 representatives in total
4
. This disparity has led to criticism that industry presence is overshadowing the voices of those most affected by climate change.

Controversial Participation

Several countries have included fossil fuel representatives in their official delegations:
  • Japan brought coal giant Sumitomo
  • Canada included oil producers Suncor and Tourmaline
  • The United Kingdom brought 20 lobbyists
  • Italy included employees from energy giants Eni and Enel
    4
Major oil companies like Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, and Eni have a combined total of 39 lobbyists at the conference
4
.

Criticism and Calls for Reform

The heavy presence of fossil fuel interests has sparked outrage among climate activists and some officials:
  • Former US Vice President Al Gore stated, "It's unfortunate that the fossil fuel industry and the petrostates have seized control of the COP process to an unhealthy degree"
    3
    .
  • David Tong from Oil Change International likened the situation to "having tobacco lobbyists at a lung cancer conference"
    2
    .
  • Climate activist Bianca Castro expressed that many organizations are "losing hope in the process"
    2
    .
There are growing calls for reform of the COP process:
  • Some advocate for excluding fossil-fuel supporting countries as COP hosts
    5
    .
  • Others propose implementing a "conflict of interest policy" for delegates and the COP presidency
    5
    .

Impact on Negotiations

The influence of fossil fuel interests appears to be affecting the focus of the conference:
  • While the Dubai summit (COP28) produced a global agreement on "transitioning away" from fossil fuels, the follow-up commitment at COP29 has been described as "very weak"
    3
    .
  • The issue of fossil fuel phase-out is reportedly "hardly even mentioned" at COP29
    3
    .

Broader Context

This controversy occurs against a backdrop of record-breaking global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions
4
. It also comes amidst revelations that many of the world's largest fossil fuel corporations have approved $250 billion in oil and gas expenditure since COP28
4
.The situation at COP29 highlights the ongoing tension between the urgent need for climate action and the persistent influence of the fossil fuel industry in shaping global climate policy.


cop29 oil lobbyists and diversity inclusion


The COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan has been marked by growing frustration over fossil fuel industry influence and calls for reform of the UN climate talks process. Here are the key developments:

Fossil Fuel Industry Presence

Environmental advocates have raised concerns about the significant presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29:
  • At least 1,770 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the conference, according to a report from the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition
    1
    2
    .
  • This represents a substantial increase from 636 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP27 in Egypt and 2,456 at COP28
    1
    .
  • Critics argue this gives the fossil fuel industry outsized influence over the climate negotiations process
    2
    .

Calls for Reform

A group of 22 international sustainability leaders, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have called for "urgent reform" of the UN climate conference structure:
  • They argue the current format cannot deliver change at the necessary speed and scale
    1
    .
  • Suggested reforms include improving the selection process for COP presidencies, enhancing accountability, and amplifying scientific voices
    1
    .
  • The letter states the climate process "has been captured and is no longer fit for purpose"
    2
    .

Controversial Host Country

Azerbaijan's role as host country has drawn criticism:
  • Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev called oil and gas a "gift of God" in remarks to attendees
    1
    2
    .
  • Former US Vice President Al Gore criticized giving oil-producing nations like Azerbaijan and the UAE control over the COP process
    2
    .
  • An undercover investigation alleged the COP29 CEO discussed new gas field investments in a sponsorship meeting
    1
    .

Diversity and Inclusion Concerns

There are calls to enhance equitable representation at future COPs:
  • More fossil fuel lobbyists attended COP28 than official representatives from vulnerable nations and Indigenous communities
    1
    .
  • The U.S. State Department has emphasized that disadvantaged populations should have access to resources and opportunities in a low-carbon future
    8
    .

Looking Ahead

As COP29 continues, key issues being discussed include:
  • Transition finance and adaptation funding for vulnerable nations
    4
    6
    .
  • Enhancing accountability for businesses in climate action
    7
    .
  • The potential impact of the recent U.S. election results on global climate efforts
    4
    9
    .
The ongoing debates highlight the tension between fossil fuel interests and calls for more ambitious climate action as nations work to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

How does the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists impact the diversity and inclusion at COP29
The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP29 has raised significant concerns about diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation at the climate talks. Here are the key points:

Outsized Fossil Fuel Industry Presence

  • At least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to COP29, according to an analysis by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition
    1
    2
    .
  • This number far exceeds the representation from many vulnerable nations and communities most impacted by climate change
    1
    2
    .
  • The fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber the combined delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries (1,033 people)
    1
    .

Imbalance in Representation

  • More fossil fuel lobbyists attended COP28 than official representatives from vulnerable nations, Indigenous communities, and scientific communities
    5
    .
  • This imbalance raises concerns about equitable representation and the ability of those most affected by climate change to have their voices heard
    5
    .

Calls for Reform

  • An open letter signed by 22 international sustainability leaders, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has called for "urgent reform" of the UN climate conference structure
    5
    .
  • The letter emphasizes the need to enhance equitable representation, recognizing the disproportionate presence of fossil fuel interests compared to vulnerable communities
    5
    .

Impact on Negotiations

  • The large presence of fossil fuel lobbyists is seen by some as giving the industry outsized influence over the climate negotiations process
    1
    .
  • Critics argue this could potentially hinder progress on ambitious climate action and the phase-out of fossil fuels
    1
    2
    .

Diversity and Inclusion Concerns

  • There are growing calls to ensure that disadvantaged populations have access to resources and opportunities in a low-carbon future
    4
    .
  • The U.S. State Department has emphasized the importance of including diverse perspectives in climate discussions and solutions
    4
    .

Transparency Issues

  • Some experts and activists are calling for greater transparency regarding the role of businesses, including state-owned enterprises, in climate negotiations
    8
    .
To address these concerns, there are increasing demands for more balanced representation, stricter eligibility criteria for conference participation, and enhanced accountability measures to ensure that the voices of those most affected by climate change are adequately heard and considered in the negotiation process.


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//WHITE LIGHTNING AI RESEARCH/11/15/24/1130PST//
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