Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Dominate Cop31 Summit in Turkey
Over 100 fossil fuel-linked corporations and industry groups are attending the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya, sparking protests over conflicts of interest.
More than 100 corporations and industry groups linked to fossil fuel interests are attending the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey. An analysis by the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition identified 103 groups, including 60 fossil fuel industry bodies and 16 financial companies, that have a history of obstructing climate action. Notable delegations include Exxon, TotalEnergies, the International Emissions Trading Association, and major banks such as JPMorganChase and HSBC.
Sheldon Whitehouse, a U.S. Senator and climate advocate, joined environmental groups in arguing that these lobbyists outnumber delegations from climate-vulnerable nations like Nepal. Whitehouse called for stricter disclosure of funding and conflicts of interest to identify those he described as infiltrators in the climate conversation.
Adding to the controversy, Oxfam reported a surge in private jet travel to the summit, recording 94 flights since Saturday. These flights carried several billionaires, including fossil fuel executive Pranav Adani. Campaigners from the Union of Concerned Scientists criticized the presence of corrupt influencers at the negotiations, suggesting their presence undermines the summit's goals.
