Date: January 26, 2023
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
