‘Privileged access’: pro-plastic lobbyists at UN pollution talks increase by a third
‘Privileged access’: pro-plastic lobbyists at UN pollution talks increase by a third
Fossil fuel and petrochemical campaigners at Ottawa summit outnumber scientists, EU and Indigenous delegates
Fossil fuel and petrochemical campaigners at Ottawa summit outnumber scientists, EU and Indigenous delegates
The number of fossil fuel and petrochemical industry lobbyists has increased by more than a third at UN talks to agree the first global treaty to cut plastic pollution, analysis shows.
Most plastic is made from fossil fuels via a chemical process known as cracking, and 196 lobbyists from both industries are at the UN talks in Ottawa, Canada, where countries are attempting to come to an agreement to curb plastic production as part of a treaty to cut global plastic waste, according to analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law (Ciel).
The 196 lobbyists registered for the talks represent a 37% increase from the 143 lobbyists registered at the last talks, in Nairobi. This in turn was a 36% increase on the previous year’s number. Increased plastic production is a major part of the fossil fuel industry’s plans for the future, and any attempts to curb production, such as the ones being discussed at the UN talks, are an obvious threat to their profits.
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Why are any lobbyists allowed at UN climate discussion? It should be UN envoys and scientists. That's it.
Why is lobbying allowed in any public interest discourse?
That aside, lobbying doesn't mean anti-people by default. Some lobbyists lobby on behalf of the people.
This isn't just any discourse. This is about the future of the planet. That shouldn't involve any lobbying, just science.
Frankly, I'm in favor of banning them from anything public.
Agreed, because them majority of them speak for money and not for people.
Why are lobbyists allowed anywhere?
Because the UN reps and scientists often lack experience about what's going on in the real world.
Green energy advocates are lobbyists too.
Do they not live in the real world?
Not really. Not all of it. The world is warming. But if you live in an area that still has plenty of water and can afford climate control like the majority of these people you don’t understand it. My neighbors and coworkers think of climate change as an inconvenience or something deniable. By nature of our location and the wealth of our country we’re shielded. They don’t want solar panels on farmland because of aesthetics and they have the privilege to ignore the reality. Folks in Johannesburg don’t have that privilege. The people facing apocalyptic conditions should be able to lobby here.
I'm pretty sure there are enough UN delegates that come from countries hard-hid by climate change that could talk about it on a very personal level.