Belem, 15th November 2025
Over 1,600 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry have gained access to the COP30 climate talks in Belém, raising concerns about the heavy industry presence at these critical negotiations, according to the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition.
The KBPO reported that fossil fuel lobbyists overshadow nearly all country delegations at COP30, with only Brazil, the host nation, sending more representatives. This marks a 12% increase compared to last year's talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, making it the largest gathering of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP events to date.
With one in every 25 participants in Belém linked to the fossil fuel sector, there are increasing calls for an accountability framework to safeguard the talks from industry influence, KBPO mentioned in the statement.
Strikingly, the number of fossil fuel lobbyists exceeds the official delegation from the Philippines by almost 50 to 1, even as the country faces devastating typhoons during the conference. Moreover, the lobbyists outnumber delegates from Jamaica — still recovering from Hurricane Melissa — by more than 40 to 1.
Fossil fuel lobbyists have received about two-thirds more passes to COP30 than all delegates from the ten most climate-vulnerable nations combined, underscoring the disproportionate influence of the industry compared to those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Prominent trade associations remain significant vehicles for this influence, with the International Emissions Trading Association sending 60 representatives, including members from energy giants like ExxonMobil, BP, and TotalEnergies.
The statement highlights that behind-the-scenes access continues to be a major avenue for industry influence, with roughly 599 lobbyists obtaining access via Party overflow badges that permit them to engage in the negotiations indirectly.
Several Global North countries have also included fossil fuel representatives in their official delegations; for instance, France has 22, Japan has 33, and Norway has 17, including six senior executives from its national oil and gas company, Equinor.
As 2025 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record, coinciding with escalating climate disasters globally and rising carbon dioxide levels, the significant contingent of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP30 further underscores their role in perpetuating the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.
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