The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will begin this Sunday, 6 November.

For years, Transparency International has been calling attention to potential conflicts of interest and undue influence impacting climate policy and calling on leaders to address gaps. This year the UNFCCC Secretariat began an “observer review process” to ensure meaningful, inclusive, fair and transparent engagement from all observers, including civil society, academia and businesses – and stop undue influence. But the process has been delayed, making no progress since the last COP.

Brice Böhmer, climate and environment lead at Transparency International, said:

“Fighting climate change and fighting corruption go hand in hand. The world’s most powerful industries, from fossil fuels to automobile manufacturers, continue to lobby to dilute and delay climate policies – and they must be stopped if we are to make real progress to save our planet.

“We are thrilled that the UNFCCC Secretariat has begun to recognise this issue by beginning the observer review process and putting conflict of interest on this year’s agenda, but we need tangible action now. Transparency International calls on the Secretariat to urgently implement a conflict of interest policy and put a stop to major corporations and polluting interests rendering climate action ineffective.”

Transparency International is co-hosting an official COP27 side event “Climate Justice, Civic Space and Public Participation” on 16 November from 15:00-16:30.