Indonesia slammed for fossil fuel lobby Influence at COP30

By Samuel Ogunsona

Indonesia has been criticized for allowing fossil fuel lobbyists to shape climate negotiations

In a statement released to Irohinodua on Sunday, the Southeast Asia country was awarded with the “Fossil of the Day” at COP30 for its blatant display of corporate capture, with 46 fossil fuel lobbyists embedded in its delegation.

The country was accused of copying lobbyists’ talking points verbatim and presenting them as its own in Article 6.4 carbon-market negotiations, undermining environmental integrity and contradicting the science.

According to new research by Kick Big Polluters Out, Indonesia’s delegation includes one of the largest groups of fossil fuel lobbyists for a developing country.

During the Article 6.4 session, Indonesia’s intervention mirrored a lobbyist letter calling for weaker rules and softer treatment of reversals, which would directly benefit the fossil fuel industry.

The letter was co-signed by groups with direct or indirect interests in carbon markets, including Conservation International, which develops and sells a carbon credit.

Other signatories include the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), whose board includes oil and gas majors and has 58 fossil fuel lobbyists in its delegation.

The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP30 has raised outrage, with many climate-vulnerable countries outnumbered by staggering ratios. In some cases, fossil lobbyists outnumber delegates by 40 or 50 to 1.

Global North governments continue to embed fossil fuel representatives directly within their official badges, a practice that has been criticized as a form of corporate capture.

“Developed countries may have written this script, but Indonesia has delivered its most brazen sequel,” critics argue.

At a COP meant to strengthen ambition and a just transition, Indonesia’s actions have been seen as a blatant attempt to weaken the rules that hold the Paris Agreement together.

The Fossil of the Day award, presented by the Climate Action Network, shows countries that have done the most to block progress in climate negotiations. Indonesia’s actions have been condemned by many, who argue that the country is prioritizing the interests of the fossil fuel industry over the needs of its own people, who are experiencing severe climate impacts.