COP25 summit: fossil fuel groups accused of trying to influence climate talks

Environmental groups have raised concerns that oil and gas groups paid massive sponsorships and sent lobbyists to the talks

But the UN’s climate change secretary says all groups need to be involved in the transition away from fossil fuels

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Demonstrators walk past the city hall in Madrid during a mass climate march to demand urgent action on the climate crisis. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:17pm, 7 Dec 2019Updated: 10:19pm, 7 Dec 2019

Oil and gas groups were accused on Saturday of seeking to influence climate talks in Madrid by paying millions in sponsorship and sending dozens of lobbyists to delay what scientists say is a necessary and rapid cut in fossil fuel use.

A day after tens of thousands marched in the Spanish capital demanding climate action, seven environmental groups raised concerns over the role of fossil fuel representatives at the COP25 summit.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations agreed to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius and as close to 1.5 degrees as possible.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg delivers a speech as she attends the 'March for Climate' protest during the COP25 summit in Madrid. Photo: EPA-EFE

The UN’s top science panel says that 1.5 degrees would require a radical drawdown in fossil fuel usage.

Delegates are gathered in Madrid negotiating how to implement the Paris pledges. The summit was moved at short notice after domestic unrest forced original host Chile to cancel.

Spanish energy giants Endesa and Iberdrola stepped in to sponsor the conference, which brings together more than 20,000 negotiators, scientists, NGOs and journalists from around the world.

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COP25 summit: fossil fuel groups accused of trying to influence climate talks

Environmental groups have raised concerns that oil and gas groups paid massive sponsorships and sent lobbyists to the talks But the UN’s climate change secretary says all groups need to be involved in the transition away from fossil fuels

Environmental groups have raised concerns that oil and gas groups paid massive sponsorships and sent lobbyists to the talks

But the UN’s climate change secretary says all groups need to be involved in the transition away from fossil fuels