COP19: report accuses sponsors of Warsaw climate conference of ‘greenwash’

As delegates from around the world begin crucial climate talks in Warsaw, a new report has warned of the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists on the negotiations.

The 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will run from November 11-22 in the Polish capital’s national stadium.

In 2011, UN members pledged to agree on a binding strategy to tackle global warming by 2015. Taking effect in 2020, the pact would commit all nations to targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

With only 50 days of negotiation left until the agreement must be signed in Paris, many of the details and mechanisms of this strategy remain undecided.  Politicians and environmentalists have stressed the necessity of progress in Warsaw.

However, a report by the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) and the Transnational Institute (TNI) claims that the Polish government has formed a partnership with 11 corporations and anti-climate lobbyists, almost all of which have histories of blocking climate change regulations, providing them with inside access to the talks.

“If your house was being attacked by gunmen, would you give them keys to the house? Yet the Polish government and the UN have given inside access to the very corporate criminals responsible for the climate crisis we now face”, said Lyda Forero of the Transnational Institute.

The companies in question include car manufacturers BMW; steel giant Arcelor Mittal; Alstom Power, the energy company responsible for Europe’s largest coal plants; and the state owned PGE Polish Energy Group. 

“The Polish presidency of COP19 has officially affiliated the climate talks with a selection of the biggest climate crooks in history – from fossil fuel giants and car companies to aviation and heavy industry”, the report says.

The Polish government had earlier said that these companies would help in organising the conference, adding, “The products and services they offer are green.”

The report rejects this claim, saying, “These partners have terrible climate records and vociferous histories of lobbying against climate-friendly policies. 

“In return for their ‘support’, these corporations get to call themselves partners, enjoy privileged access to the conference and of course, exploit a great greenwashing opportunity.” 

It also warns that corporate lobbyists promote “false solutions” to climate change problems, such as “clean coal”, shale gas and fracking.

Host nation Poland has also come in for condemnation because of the ministry of economy’s decision to host an International Coal and Climate conference running concurrently with COP19.

In 2011, 92% of the country’s electricity and 89% of its heat were generated by the coal industry.

“Sadly, Poland has never been a champion of strong action on climate change, and the UN conference may have to make progress despite, rather than because of, their hosts”, said Richard Dixon, director at Friends of the Earth Scotland.

However, Marcin Korolec, Poland’s minister for the environment and the president of COP19, argued that his country is a worthy host, and said it will ensure “democratic and transparent” negotiations.

“The statement that the fate of our planet lies in our hands, in relation to the negotiations of a climate agreement, certainly is not an empty truism”, he added.

Further reading:

COP19: international climate talks begin in Warsaw, Poland

‘No legal or economic basis’ for weakening UK carbon budget

2030 climate and energy framework urgently needed, say 13 EU states

‘Sceptical’ politicians and financial crisis both factors in UK climate lethargy

IPCC climate report: global temperature likely to exceed 2C this century