Record-Breaking Fossil Fuel Lobbying at COP30: 1 in 25 Attendees Represent Oil Industry

As global leaders convene in the Amazon for Brazil's self-described "Implementation COP," a troubling new analysis reveals that the climate summit has been infiltrated by an unprecedented number of representatives from the fossil fuel industry - the very sector responsible for driving the climate crisis.

A record-breaking 1,602 fossil fuel lobbyists have descended upon COP30, representing the highest proportion ever documented. This translates to one industry lobbyist for every 25 conference attendees, marking a significant 12% increase from the already controversial COP29 held in Baku last year.

Through meticulous examination of the United Nations' provisional participant list, the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition discovered that the oil, gas, and coal lobby now exceeds the size of almost every national delegation. Only the host country Brazil sent more representatives (3,805) than the entire fossil fuel contingent.

The data reveals stark disparities: fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber delegates from the Philippines by nearly 50 to 1, while that nation currently battles deadly typhoons. They exceed Jamaica's delegation by more than 40 to 1, just months after Hurricane Melissa caused devastating damage to the island.

The fossil fuel industry secured two-thirds more access passes than the combined delegations of the world's ten most climate-vulnerable countries, which collectively sent just 1,061 representatives from nations such as Chad, Somalia, and Tonga.

More concerning still, over 160 industry lobbyists were granted official government badges. France brought 22 fossil fuel executives, including TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné among five representatives from that company. Japan embedded 33 industry lobbyists, including representatives from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Osaka Gas. Meanwhile, Norway, despite its "green" reputation, included 17 fossil fuel representatives, with six senior Equinor executives among them.

Trade associations continue to serve as the industry's primary avenue for influence. The International Emissions Trading Association alone brought 60 delegates, including staff from major corporations like ExxonMobil, BP, and TotalEnergies.

"It's common sense that you cannot solve a problem by giving power to those who caused it," remarked Jax Bonbon from IBON International in the Philippines. "Yet three decades later, more than 1,500 fossil fuel lobbyists are roaming the talks as if they belong here. It is infuriating."

As 2025 approaches record-breaking temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide reaches unprecedented levels, these same corporations have approved nearly $250 billion in new oil and gas projects since last year's COP29.

Civil society representatives have voiced strong opposition. "This is a Conference of Polluters, not Parties," stated Pascoe Sabido of Corporate Europe Observatory. "Until we Kick Big Polluters Out, every COP outcome will be written by the world's largest polluters — in the name of profit over people and planet."

Others highlighted connections between fossil fuels and global conflicts. "The fossil fuel industry and the Israeli colonial regime are two sides of the same coin of destruction," said Ana Sánchez of Global Energy Embargo for Palestine. "There is no climate justice without Palestine liberation."

For the first time, COP30 requires non-governmental participants to disclose funding sources and declare alignment with UNFCCC goals. However, this transparency rule doesn't apply to those wearing government badges - precisely the loophole exploited by countries like France, Japan, Norway, and others to include industry representatives in their delegations.