YOUNGO, the official Children and Youth Constituency to the UNFCCC, has reacted to the presence of over 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists at the ongoing United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The group emphasised that conference of parties (COPs) is a forum to “enhance further our concern on climate change’s related linkage with the fossil fuel exploit,” rather than “environment for fossil deals and oil and gas-related businesses.”
A statement by the youth-led NGO stated: “With concerns, we recognise the numerous presence of fossil fuel lobbyists. Despite COP29 being much smaller than COP28, the figure stayed equally high with over 1700. This means we even have a larger share of fossil fuel lobbyists present.
“We are strongly concerned about the alarming rhetoric emerging during this COP – i.e. referring to oil and gas as “gifts from God” – which ultimately expresses the disgraceful work the presidency is doing in undermining and suppressing fossil fuel criticism.
“Moreover, we want to remember COPs are not the environment for fossil deals and oil and gas-related businesses, but it’s the space to enhance further our concern on climate change’s related linkage with the fossil fuel exploit. Those words and actions are undermining the purpose of this conference! It’s disappointing and frustrating that once again COPs are used for the exact opposite – and the Chairs are watching silently.”
The youth body warned that “It’s time for the UNFCCC to adopt a robust Conflict of Interests Policy to safeguard climate action!
“We must prevent corporate influence from derailing urgent and imperative progress to secure a liveable future. Thus, we call to end polluting industries’ corporate sponsorship of COPs, implement a Declaration of Interest for all stakeholders, ensure fossil fuel representatives are excluded from closed sessions, and guarantee a Fossil-Free Presidency at future COPs.
“The UNFCCC has to implement stricter criteria for the COP’s presidency selection and need to rethink the UNFCCC’s COP structure.”
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