Letter from ‘Kick Big Polluters Out’ on COP28 Presidency

To:  António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General  Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Parties to the UNFCCC— On January 11, news broke that Sultan Al Jaber, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), will be overseeing the upcoming round of global climate negotiations as president of COP28, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  The United States, the European Union, and even the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) all applauded the news.  But let us be clear–this is no cause for celebration. This decision threatens the legitimacy and efficacy of COP28. If we have any hope of addressing the climate crisis, every COP must be free from the polluting influence of the fossil fuel industry.  ADNOC is the world’s 12th largest oil producer.  As a major emitter it ranks 14th in the list of corporations most responsible for carbon emissions. ADNOC also ranked 2nd highest in a global analysis of fossil fuel companies' oil & gas expansion plans, making it one of the fastest growing fossil fuel companies based on its project and construction approval for new fields and wells. It recently ramped up its expansion plans by committing to produce 5 million barrels per day by 2027, and it partners closely with other major polluters to continue to lock in a fossil-fueled future. Its plans are incompatible with the International Energy Agency’s scenario, which makes it clear that there can be no new oil and gas development to be on track to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  Even before the appointment of Al Jaber, the UAE’s track record demonstrates it is not serious about phasing out fossil fuel use and keeping global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Rather, its track record demonstrates it is central to causing the climate crisis, not solving it.  There is no honor in appointing a fossil fuel executive who profits immensely off of fueling the climate crisis to oversee the global response to climate change. That such a move could ever be seen to be legitimate amidst an intensifying climate crisis where millions of lives and ecosystems are on the line exemplifies just how insidious Big Polluters’ stranglehold over climate policy is. It also points to a deeper problem—fossil fuel interests overrun the UNFCCC and threaten its credibility. At COP27 last November, more than 630 fossil fuel lobbyists registered to attend the climate negotiations. The UAE, now hosting COP28, had more fossil fuel lobbyists on its delegation than any other country. The grim reality is that this appointment represents a tipping point in which the UNFCCC is rapidly losing any legitimacy and credibility. More than 450 organizations have called on world governments to reset the system to ensure that it stops serving greed and profits and instead protects the people and communities who are paying for the world’s fossil fuel addiction with their lives and livelihoods. Multiple UNFCCC constituencies—representing youth, women and gender, trade unions, and the climate justice movement—have called on the UNFCCC to finally pass an Accountability Framework that ends the ability of Big Polluters to unduly influence and undermine the global response to climate change. Yet despite this united demand, and as the climate crisis is being experienced all around the world, world governments continue to treat the UNFCCC as an industry PR stunt and corporate trade show, despite the clear warnings delivered by the IPCC.   No COP overseen by a fossil fuel executive can be seen as legitimate. COP Presidencies must be free and independent of fossil fuel influence. It’s time for the UNFCCC to deliver the long overdue equitable phaseout of fossil fuels. Critically, addressing the real problem of polluting interests only begins here. In addition, we demand:

1. Big Polluters cannot write the rules. Big Polluters must not be allowed to unduly influence climate policymaking. This allows them to continue weaken and undermine the global response to climate change, and it’s why we are on the brink of extinction. The UNFCCC must urgently establish an Accountability Framework, including a regime-wide conflict-of-interest policy, that systematically ends this corporate capture. 
2. No more Big Polluters’ bankrolling climate action. No Big Polluter partnership or sponsorships of climate talks or climate action. Not now. Not ever. Major polluters must not be allowed to greenwash themselves and literally buy their way out of culpability for a crisis they have caused. The UNFCCC will always fail to deliver so long as this is deemed acceptable.
3. Polluters out and People in. While civil society has always participated in the COP process, governments have made it more difficult each time for non-governmental organizations and climate justice movements to have their voices heard. We need equitable, meaningful inclusion of civil society. Climate action must center the leadership and lived experience of the people, especially those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. With frontline communities in the lead, we must end the funding and validation of dangerous distractions and false solutions that promote Big Polluters’ profits, enable their abuses, and guarantee decades more of fossil fuel use.
4. Reset the system to protect people and the planet, not Big Polluters. Big Polluters are destroying life as we know it. It’s time to build a new way of living and collaborating that works for people, not polluters, and that restores, rather than destroys, nature. We need real, just, accountable, gender responsive, community-led, nature-restoring, and proven and transformative solutions to be implemented rapidly and justly. We need a total and equitable transition off of fossil fuels. We need real solutions that center the rights of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, workers, and the protection of those speaking up for justice. We need an end to the impunity of corporate abuses.

Year after year, the UNFCCC has failed to deliver the needed climate equity and action to end the era of fossil fuels, and to rapidly and justly transition to a new global system. 2023 needs to be a breakthrough year. Will the UNFCCC keep undermining its own credibility and continue to avoid addressing the core driver of the climate crisis—fossil fuels?  Or will it continue to give its executives a seat at the head of the table?  Sincerely,   UNFCCC Constituencies: Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice - DCJ Climate Action Network - CAN Women and Gender Constituency Trade Union NGOs (TUNGO)   Organizational endorsements: Launching organizations: 350.org Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development Center for Biological Diversity Climate Justice Programme Corporate Accountability Corporate Europe Observatory Culture Unstained Friends of the Earth International Global Forest Coalition Greenpeace IBON International Indigenous Environmental Network Reclame Fossielvrij Social Tippingpoint Coalition Union of People Affected by Chevron-Texaco – UDAPT   International ActionAid International AEGEAN FOREST FOUNDATION Africans Rising Alliance for the future Generation Alt in MH Amazon Watch Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) Center for International Environmental Law Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy Christian Aid CIDSE Climate & Sustainability Climate Clock Cyrog Enterprise Ltd Debt Justice UK Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) Dorcas Aid International EarthRights International EcoEquity EcoPravo-Kharkiv Ecovista Education International EnGen Collaborative FairClimateFund FIMCAP Europe Fòs Feminista Fuerza Mundial Global Fundación Quantum GAIA - Global Alliance for Incinerator Alterntatives Gallifrey Foundation Gastivists Global Forest Coalition Global Inititive for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Global Network of Civil Society Organisation for Disaster Reduction Greenpeace Heinrich Boell Stiftung Washington, DC ICO "Environment - People - Law" (EPL) IICAT The International Institute of Climate Action & Theory International Climate Justice Program, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (RLS) International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) International helping for young International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE) International Trade Union Confederation International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) International Youth Task Force for Climate Change, Epidemics & Natural Disaster IWRAW Asia Pacific MADRE Margaret Pyke Trust medico international MenEngage Global Alliance MISEREOR Oil Change International Oxfam Parents For Future Global Peoples Rising for Climate Justice Plastic Free Campus Polar Educators International Population Connection Practical Action Presente.org/Alianza Americas Razom We Stand Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary NGO at the UN SHE Changes Climate Simavi SMC - Faith in Development Stand.earth Stay Grounded Network Tearfund The Institute for Climate Policy Solutions (ICPS) Their Voices for Climate Third World Network TONATIERRA Transparency International Tropenbos International UNI Global UNION War on Want Water Justice and Gender We Effect WECF International Women Deliver Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) World Animal Protection World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts YouthNet for Climate Justice   Africa Aalem for Orphan and Vulnerable Children, Inc. AbibiNsroma Foundation Actions pour la Réinsertion Sociale de la Femme "ARSF" Actions pour le Développement, l'Education et la Santé, ADESA RDC AFPDE Africa Farmers Media Centre Africa Institute for Energy Governance Africa Youth Coalition Against Hunger Sierra Leone Akina Mama wa Afrika Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) ANAD Associacao comunitaria Emmanuel Association de Sauvegarde de la Nature et de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable à Nefza (ASNEDDN) Association pour le respect du droit des populations autochtones, du développement durable et du droit de l'homme (ARPA2DH) Baray tagui CADIRE CAMEROON ASSOCIATION Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch-CAMGEW Candles Association for Equality / Morocco Centre for 21st Century Issues Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) Centre for community Against Human Trafficking (CIAHT) Centre for Emergency and Development Support Centre pour la Justice Environnementale - Togo Citizens network for community development Zambia Civil Society Action Coalition on Disaster Mitigation Civil Society Organisation HINA Plateform Cleannation Foundation Climate Action Network Africa (CAN Africa) CNTT Collectif Sénégalais des Africaines pour la Promotion de l: Education Relative à l'Environnement (COSAPERE) Community Agenda Support Community Technology Development Trust Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa Disaster Risk Management in Africa - DRM Africa DUKINGIRE ISI YACU Economic Empowerment and Human Rights Sierra Leone Economic Justice Network Sierra Leone Educating Girls and Young Women for Development-EGYD Elizka Relief Foundation Endorois Welfare Council (EWC) Entreprise Forward and Fellow alumni of Women Deliver Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria FONAHD RDC Fridays for Future Kajiado Fridays For Future Kenya Fridays for Future Uganda GARDEN KID'S GenderCC Southern Africa Geo-Environmental Research Agency for Development (GERAD-LIBERIA) INC Green Living Movement HORN OF AFRICA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION (HARDA) Humanitaire pour un developpement social et societale "Sitroul-abde" Innovative Hub for Inclusiveness, Empowerment and Social Development (SieDi-Hub) International helping for young Jigawa State Government Joint Initiatives For Vulnerables Support Karamoja Go Green Kikandwa Environmental Association KITUI PEACE NETWORK LAMU WOMEN ALLIANCE Lelewal Foundation Les Ecocitoyens Movement For Education And Advocacy Network Salone MVIWAKI Natural Justice Natural Resource Women Platform NCDG Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development Intl. ONG KAWTAL Parents for Future Nigeria Pathways for Women's Empowerment and Development (PaWED) Cameroon Powering Young Initiatives RECODEF Sénégal AACJ REFEDE MALI Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation - RCIDC Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative SAF-TESO SHE Changes Climate Sierra Leone School Green Clubs (SLSGC) Simma Africa Creative Arts Foundation Somaliland Climate Action Initiative {SOCAI} Spring of the arid and semi-arid lands (SASAL) Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN) Sustainable Development Institute SustyVibes Union pour la Promotion/Protection, la Défense des Droits Humains et de l'Environnement-UPDDHE/GL Vision for Alternative Development - VALD Ghana Women for a Change You-lean Chad ZIMTA   Asia & Pacific 350.org Japan ACTU Active Citizens Pacific AGHAM Advocates of Science and Technology for the People Alliance for Future Generations Anne's Christian Community Health School and Nursing Services APWLD ARSOW Nepal Association For Promotion Sustainable Development Australian Council of Trade Unions Bangladesh Model Youth Parliament (Protiki Jubo Sangshad) Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation -BGF BIMBA (Kiribati) Blue Dlian Bougainville Women’s Federation CADME (Coastal Area Disaster Mitigation Efforts) Centre for Social Policy Development Climate Action Network Japan Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality DIVERSE VOICES AND ACTIONS FOR EQUALITY FIJI Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) FoE Japan Friends of the Earth Australia Friends of the Siberian Forests Ganochetona Bangladesh Good Food Community Grameena Vikas Samithi-GVS. Grata Fund Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia House of Colors IDEAS For Nepal Indian National Trade Union Congress-INTUC Integrated Development Society Nepal International Trade Union Confederation - Asia Pacific International Women's Development Agency Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment Kapul Champions Inc. Kdadalak Sulimutuk Institute Korea Federation for Environmental Movement KRuHA KSBSI Living All Inclusive In Belau Organization Lok Shakti Abhiyan Motto to Empower Health, Education & Rights Na i Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal National Fisheries Solidarity Movement National Forum for Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN) NDF Pakistan Nepalese Space Research Association(NESRA)) NGO Forum on ADB NTFP EP Philippines NZEI Te Riu Roa Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Papua New Guinea Teachers Association Rainbow Pride Foundation Fiji Roots for Equity Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) Save & Plant Trees SERUNI Shifting the Power Coalition & Pacific Island Feminist Alliance for Climate Justice Social Economic Development Society [SEDS] SUKAAR WELFARE ORGANIZATION Tebtebba Foundation The Climate Reality Project Japan TI-Korea Tuvalu Climate Action Network Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition Vanuatu Young Women For Change Vatu Mauri Consortium Victorian Trades Hall Council Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines Youth Association for Development (YAD) Pakistan Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines   Europe ACV-CSC METEA Adéquations Agora Association Alliance Sud Asociación Española de Educación Ambiental Black Sea Women's Club Black2Nature Campaign against Climate Change Catholic Agency for Overseas Development CCFD - Terre Solidaire Changemaker Climate 2025 Climate Emergency UK Climáximo ČMOS PŠ Co-ordination Office of the Austrian Bishop's Conference for International Development and Mission (KOO) CONFEDERACION INTERSINDICAL Confederacion Sindical Comisiones Obreras España (CCOO) Cordaid Deutsche Umwelthilfe Earth Minutes Eco Action Families Ecologistas en Acción Element Four Extinction Rebellion FNV Food and Water Action Europe FridaysForFuture Thessaloniki Friends of the Earth Cyprus Friends of the Earth Europe Friends of the Earth Germany/ BUND Friends of the Earth Ireland Friends of the Earth Malta Friends of the Earth Norway (Naturvernforbundet) Fundacja Gotowi.org Global Justice Now Global Witness Grands-parents pour le cliamt/ Klima-Grosseltern Schweiz Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) Green Thought Association GREENPEACE KFUK-KFUM Global Klimadelegation e.V. Kmelnytskyi energy cluster Landelijk Netwerk Bossen- en Bomenbescherming.nl Les Amis de la Terre France Milieudefensie Money Rebellion Mosaïque Bretagne NEU Climate Change Network NGO Ekoltava Observatori DESC Parents for future Parents for Future - West London Parents For Future Austria Parents for Future Italy Parents for future Scotland Parents for Future Sweden Parents for Future Tortona Parents for Future UK Parents for future Waldviertel Planète Amazone Rapid Transition Alliance ReCommon Rodzice dla Klimatu - Parents For Future Poland Scottish Sustainable Schools Network SHE Changes Climate Shine Coaching and Consultancy Spire Swedwatch The Movements Trust Transport&Environment Trócaire TROYA ÇEVRE DERNEĞİ UK Schools Sustainability Network UK Youth Climate Coalition Unión General de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores (UGT) University & College Union Uplift Urgewald Vanguard SOS UK WeSmellGas ZERO - Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável Zero Waste Society   Latin America & Caribbean 5 Elementos - Instituto de Educação para Sustentabilidade Associação de Mulheres, agricultores, artesãos e amigos do Quilombo Santa Justina Santa Izabel - RJ do quil Associação de Preservação do Meio Ambiente e da Vida - Apremavi Casa del Protector Marcahuasi Centro de Estudios Heñói CESTA Friends of the Earth El Salvador Coalición Ecuménica por el Cuidado de la Creación Coalición Evangélica por la Justicia Climática Coalición Nacional por la Tierra - Argentina Colectiva Zurciendo el planeta Colectivo CASA Colectivo VientoSur CPOOEM-Coordinadora de Pueblos y Organizaciones del Oriente del Estado de México en Defensa de la Tierra, el Agua y su Cultura Derecho Ambiente y Recursos Naturales ECOMUNIDADES, Red Ecologista Autónoma de la Cuenca de México ECORE Entraide et Fraternité Familias Pelo Clima FirecircleTT To End ALL Abuse Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) Fundacion Plurales Iepé - Instituto de Pesquisa e Formação Indigena Instituto de Estudos Socioeconômicos - Inesc Instituto de Referência Negra Peregum Instituto Ecologica Instituto Internacional de Educacao do Brasil IPÊ - Institute for Ecological Research La Ruta del Clima LATINDADD Memoria Indígena Movimiento Ciudadano frente al Cambio Climatico Nós na Criação Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela Observatório do Clima (Climate Observatory) Otros Cruces Paz y Esperanza Ecuador PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL PERÚ - PUCP Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research (PODER) RCA. Rede de Cooperação Amazônica Reaccion Climatica Red de Estudios y Empoderamiento Afrodescendiente RedAfros Red Latinoamericana por Justicia Económica y Social - LATINDADD REDE GTA Salvaginas Colectiva Ecofeminista Sociedad civil Amigos del Viento meteorologia ambiente desarrollo Taller Ecologista The Breadfruit Collective Voces de Tibet   Middle East Arab Watch Coalition Arab Youth Climate Movement-Lebanon AYSDN Dibeen For Environmental Development EIPR For bright yemen organization for development Kazdagi Association for The Protection of Natural and Cultural Assets Parents For Climate - Israel RAWSA Alliance for African and Arab States Youth For Climate Turkey   North America Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action 198 methods 350 PDX 350 Triangle 350Brooklyn Action Enivronnement Basses-Laurentides, Québec Animals Are Sentient Beings Inc Athens County's Future Action Network Beyond Extreme Energy Biofuelwatch Black Parents United Foundation Businesses for a Livable Climate Call to Action Colorado Canton Residents for a Sustainable Equitable Future CatholicNetwork US Center for Constitutional Rights Citizen's Alliance for a Sustainable Englewood Citizens Climate Lobby Lancaster Clean Energy Action Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL) Climate Action Network - Réseau action climat Canada Climate Families NYC Climate Generation Climate Hawks Vote Climate Justice Alliance ClimateMama Colorado Businesses for a Livable Climate ColorBrightonGreen Community for Sustainable Energy Continental Network of Indígenous Women of the Americas, North Region Defend Our Future Empower Our Future Environmental Defence Canada Families for a Livable Climate Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada (Office for Systemic Justice) Friends of the Earth Canada Friends of the Earth US Front commun pour la transition énergétique Grandmothers Advocacy Network Grassroots Global Justice Alliance Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance Green 13 Green House Collaboration Center Indivisible Ambassadors Institute for Policy Studies Climate Policy Program Interstate 70 Citizens Advisory Group Larimer Alliance for Health, Safety & Environment Le Centre Oblat - A Voice for Justice Littleton Business Alliance Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Mayfair Park Neighborhood Association Board Mental Health & Inclusion Ministries Montbello Neighborhood Improvement Association Nature Québec North Central Washington Climate Advocates North Range Concerned Citizens Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) OC Sierra Club Climate Action Team Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology PACAN RapidShift Network Save the Environmental Protection Agency Southwest Organization for Sustainability Spirit of the Sun System Change Not Climate Change Talk Climate Texas Campaign for the Environment The Climate Reality Project Canada The Parents' Climate Community Third Act Ohio Unite North Metro Denver Wall of Women West Vallehy Neighborhoods Coalition Western Slope Businesses for a Livable Climate Womxn from the Mountain Working for Racial Equity   Other Online Knowledge Society Research-Intellectual Club "Dialogue of Generations" Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Justice (RESURJ) Women United Together Marshall Islands Fiji Youth SRHR Alliance DIVA Central Hub