More than 1,600 lobbyists from the world’s leading fossil fuel companies have swarmed the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil – the largest-ever presence of fossil fuel representatives at any UN climate conference.

The international coalition Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) issued a report Friday warning that this unprecedented corporate influence could seriously undermine global climate action.

KBPO said the surge in fossil fuel lobbyists is especially alarming for climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, where sea-level rise, extreme heatwaves, and intensifying floods and cyclones already threaten lives, livelihoods, and economic stability. Chronic shortages in climate finance further heighten these risks.

An analysis of KBPO’s preliminary participant list shows fossil fuel lobbyists outnumbering representatives from nearly every country, with only host nation Brazil sending more delegates.

Brazil registered 3,805 participants, while lobbyists account for nearly one in every 25 attendees. Their presence is up 12% from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“This is the highest number of fossil fuel lobbyists ever recorded at a COP,” said KBPO spokesperson Ana Sánchez. “It shows that the very industries driving the climate crisis continue to dominate discussions meant to regulate their harmful impact.”

According to the report, fossil fuel lobbyists received nearly two-thirds more passes than all delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries combined, a total of 1,061 passes. Their turnout exceeds Philippine government representatives by almost 50 times and Jamaican delegates by 40 times.

KBPO argues the figures show how corporate interests are drowning out the voices of the communities facing the gravest climate threats.

Trade associations also feature prominently at COP30. The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) alone sent 60 representatives, including delegates from ExxonMobil, BP, and TotalEnergies. Several Global North governments incorporated fossil fuel executives into their official delegations.

France sent 22 delegates, including five from TotalEnergies, led by CEO Patrick Pouyanné. Japan included 33 fossil fuel lobbyists in its delegation, representing companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Osaka Gas. Norway sent 17 delegates, including six senior executives from Equinor.

Beyond official channels, 599 lobbyists entered the talks using Party overflow badges, granting them wide access to negotiations.

KBPO warns that such behind-the-scenes influence threatens the credibility of COP30, which Brazil has positioned as a crucial moment for implementing the Paris Agreement and scaling up climate finance.

“Even after 30 years and 30 COPs, more than 1,500 fossil fuel lobbyists roam the climate talks freely,” said Jax Bonbon of IBON International, Philippines. “Their influence deepens year after year, while the concerns of affected communities are ignored.”

COP30 is also the first UN climate conference requiring non-government participants to publicly disclose funding sources and confirm alignment with UNFCCC objectives.

Despite this, KBPO found that 164 lobbyists entered with government-issued badges, underscoring ongoing gaps in accountability.

The year 2025 is on track to be one of the hottest on record. With climate disasters worsening and carbon dioxide levels at historic highs, nearly $250 billion has already been approved for new oil and gas projects since COP29, even as demands grow for a rapid, just transition away from fossil fuels.

“From exploiting land and ecosystems to influencing policy, fossil fuel lobbyists show why we urgently need accountability and polluter-free negotiations,” said Pat Bohland, co-focal point of the Women and Gender Constituency.

Civil society groups warn that the dominance of fossil fuel interests poses a direct threat to vulnerable communities across the Global South.

For Bangladesh and similar nations grappling with recurring floods, cyclones, and extreme heat, such influence risks prolonging dependence on high-emission energy and weakening adaptation strategies.

“COP should be a space for people-driven solutions, not a playground for polluters,” said Rachitaa Gupta, global coordinator of the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice.