At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the clash between environmental activists and fossil fuel lobbyists has reached a fever pitch. On one side, protesters are taking a stand against fossil fuels, demanding urgent action on climate change. On the other, a staggering 480 lobbyists promoting Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies have descended upon the conference, outnumbering core national delegations from key countries like the United States and Canada.
This year’s summit has seen a significant drop in total participants, down by 15,000 to 70,000. Yet, the presence of CCS advocates has notably increased, with five more lobbyists granted access compared to COP28. Almost half of these lobbyists are attending as part of national delegations, while 55 have been invited by the Azerbaijani government, giving them a leg up in negotiations. In stark contrast, environmental advocacy group Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) reported that around 1,773 lobbyists representing coal, oil, and gas interests are also on the ground. This figure surpasses the combined number of delegates from the ten most climate-vulnerable nations.
The lobbyists, many of whom are affiliated with major oil and gas companies, are cleverly camouflaged under the guise of trade associations. The International Emissions Trading Association, for instance, is bringing 43 representatives, including personnel from TotalEnergies and Glencore. This strategic positioning raises eyebrows, as it allows fossil fuel interests to infiltrate discussions while appearing to represent broader industry perspectives.
Critics are alarmed that the overwhelming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists, along with the promotion of CCS, threatens to derail genuine climate action at COP29. CCS is often criticized as a band-aid solution that allows for the continued extraction and burning of fossil fuels, rather than pushing for a real transition to renewable energy sources. The irony of Azerbaijan, a nation with a rich oil and gas heritage, hosting this summit adds another layer of complexity to the proceedings. Its president has even referred to oil and gas as a “gift of God,” further complicating the climate narrative.
As COP29 enters its second week, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the negotiations. Will the voices of environmental activists be drowned out by the chorus of lobbyists promoting fossil fuel interests? Or will the pressure from grassroots movements compel negotiators to take decisive action? The stakes couldn’t be higher. The future trajectory of climate policy hangs in the balance, and the dynamics at play in Baku could very well shape the global energy landscape for years to come. With activists rallying and lobbyists maneuvering, the outcome of this year’s summit could either spark a much-needed shift towards sustainability or prolong our reliance on fossil fuels. Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the battle lines have been drawn, and the world is watching.
