Many of these same people, and possibly even more connected to fossil fuels, will likely be at this year’s official climate talks, known as Conference of Parties or COP, being hosted by the United Arab Emirates, a major oil producing country. But in reality, the livelihoods of these participants were more aligned with what’s keeping the problem going: fossil fuels.Ĭlose to 400 people connected in some way or another to fossil fuel industries attended last year’s United Nations’ climate talks in Egypt, a grouping that was larger than all but two of the national delegations sent by countries, according to a data analysis of the more than 24,000 participants by The Associated Press.Īs United Nations leaders, scientists and others called for an eventual elimination of coal, oil and natural gas, various delegations included attendees who in some way owed part or all of their paychecks to fossil fuel burning.
They stated affiliations like the government of Brazil, Indigenous organizations of the Amazon, the Climate Registry. The badges said they were there to participate in negotiations to curb climate change.
