No more dirty COPs – NGOs want fossil fuel lobbies excluded from climate talks

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A report from InfluenceMap that exposes Big Oil’s true intentions in climate policy has led to new calls for representatives of fossil fuel companies to be excluded from the upcoming talks on climate change in Paris.

The talks, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP21) traditionally have large inputs from industry, NGOs and “civil society”, unlike other international negotiations.

A campaign called Kick Big Polluters Out is being launched during the final week of the UNCCC negotiations ahead of Paris.

“Around the globe people are calling for action now. We don’t have time to waste; governments must act now,” said Jesse Bragg of Corporate Accountability International, “There are too many lives at risk today to leave tomorrow up to the climate offenders that are driving the problem.”

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Interference from the fossil fuel industry is proving an obstacle at almost every level, from direct sponsorship of the UNFCCC talks, to the release of a pro-oil report by an alliance between some of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. The report advocates industry friendly “market-placed” solutions.

Industry involvement in policy making is not only allowed, but encouraged. Shell & BHP announced a few weeks ago a partnership with McKinsey Consulting  to “advise” governments on climate policy. These are similar tactics deployed by Big Tobacco as it attempted to position itself on the side of health and reason, whilst simultaneously staving off any action on Tobacco.

The InfluenceMap report compares Big Oil’s PR to the often contradictory lobbying and advocacy done on its behalf by its many front groups. Activists say it also confirms what many have known for some time: Big Oil has no intentions to walk the talk on climate change.

An Opinion Piece Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Lies, by Kelle Louaillier, President of Corporate Accountability International and Bill McKibben, the co-founder of the global movement 350.org, outline the rationale for this approach. The Paris talks begin late next month.

 

Comments

One response to “No more dirty COPs – NGOs want fossil fuel lobbies excluded from climate talks”

  1. Reality Bites Avatar
    Reality Bites

    If coal was truly comparable to tobacco and was totally discretionary then yes you could exclude representations, however until energy storage is completely resolved, coal is part of the energy mix. It must be included in discussions as at the moment you have lignite/brown coal being used in many countries and in fact India plans to dramatically increase the use of this inferior coal, which is highly pollutant. To cut emissions the world should immediately have a plan to cease use of poorer quality coals. China has done this by setting minimums for calorific value, sulphur and ash. Existing coal fired power stations should also be converted to at least supercritical or ultra supercritical, therefore achieving 45% efficiency. Both sides need to stop the propaganda and work on a longer range plan.

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