The Cop29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan has kicked off with a controversial start as a staggering number of carbon capture and storage (CCS) lobbyists have descended upon the critical negotiations. According to an exclusive analysis by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) shared with a media outlet, at least 480 individuals advocating for the nascent technology were granted access to the talks – five more than last year despite an overall reduction in attendees.
The substantial presence of CCS advocates, who outnumber the core delegations from major nations like the United States and Canada, has raised alarm bells among activists concerned about the outsized influence of fossil fuel interests. Nearly half of the lobbyists gained entry as part of national delegations, with the host country Azerbaijan alone bringing 55 as “guests” who have been afforded privileged access and “red-carpet treatment” according to some participants.
Fossil Fuel Greenwashing or Climate Solution?
The heavy promotion of CCS at Cop29 comes as the oil and gas industry increasingly points to the technology as key to its decarbonization plans. Proponents argue it could allow companies to continue selling fossil fuels by capturing and storing the resulting emissions. Major producers like the UK and UAE have prominently featured CCS in the national strategies released this week.
However, many activists and experts remain deeply skeptical, deriding CCS as an expensive distraction at best and greenwashing at worst. They note the technology doesn’t yet exist at any meaningful scale and fails to address the localized harms of drilling and extraction. Most projects so far have focused on enhanced oil recovery – using captured carbon to squeeze more oil from depleted wells.
“We are witnessing fossil fuel greenwashing by those attempting to delay the inevitable fossil fuels phase-out,” said Rachel Kennerley, a campaigner at CIEL. “Governments and companies simply cannot clean their coal, oil, and gas by capturing and ‘managing’ emissions.”
Unreliable and Risky Technology
Research has consistently shown that CCS projects chronically underperform. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found unsuccessful projects far outnumber successful ones, and CCS power is unlikely to ever compete with renewables. Critics say counting on the unproven technology risks pushing the world past climate tipping points.
“The significant number of CCS lobbyists at Cop29 highlights the fossil fuel industry’s substantial investment in attempting to secure its future, despite the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels,” Kennerley said. “Investing in this expensive and unreliable technology will lock in fossil fuels and waste precious time and money that we cannot afford.”
Lobbying for Favorable Rules
CIEL expressed particular concern over the carbon market rules approved on the first day of the summit, worrying they could boost funding for CCS. The campaigners believe industry advocates are pushing hard for financing and regulations to further entrench the technology as a climate solution.
Documents uncovered by a 2021 US congressional investigation suggest oil executives have long understood CCS’s shortcomings, but view it as a lifeline for preserving fossil fuel dependence. As the climate crisis intensifies and the window for action narrows, the debate over the technology’s role is set to remain heated at Cop29 and beyond.
