“Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Descend on UN Talks for Plastic Pollution Treaty: ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF, and Sabic Among Participants”

Representatives of ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF, and Sabic are among the oil and petrochemical firms with participants at the INC-5 negotiations in South Korea. A “record” number of fossil fuel lobbyists have registered to take part in the last scheduled round of UN talks to agree on a new global pact to tackle plastic pollution, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).

The advocacy group identified 221 representatives of oil and gas and petrochemical companies and industry bodies on the provisional list of participants at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) taking place in Busan, South Korea, this week. After a two-and-a-half-year negotiating process, 175 countries are expected to agree on a landmark treaty by Sunday aimed at ending plastic pollution. However, deep divisions over core issues, including a potential cap on plastic production, have stalled progress, putting the outcome on a knife edge.

The vast majority of nations support the inclusion of curbs on plastic manufacturing in the pact. Still, a vocal and powerful group of oil and gas-producing countries, led by Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, strongly oppose the move, pushing for a narrower focus on managing plastic consumption and waste. Consensus is the preferred way of making decisions at the UN talks, so resistance from even a small minority can potentially block a deal.

Dozens of fossil fuel firms, plastic producers, and lobby groups for the petrochemical industry that are actively involved in the negotiating process back efforts to keep production curbs out of the UN treaty. ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF, and Sabic are some of the companies with the largest number of representatives on the list for INC-5.

Von Hernandez, global coordinator at the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) movement, expressed concerns about allowing fossil fuel and petrochemical companies to exert their influence in the negotiations, likening it to letting “foxes guard the henhouse.” Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemicals campaign manager at CIEL, highlighted industry lobbyists’ tactics of obstruction, distraction, intimidation, and misinformation surrounding the negotiations.

The presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at the plastics talks reflects long-standing criticism over the corporate capture of UN climate negotiations. Almost 1,800 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access to the COP29 climate summit in Baku this month, more than the government delegates of the 10 most climate-vulnerable countries combined.

While the overall number of fossil fuel lobbyists at the plastics talks is lower than at climate conferences, their weight is much greater. They make up close to 6% of total registered attendees in Busan, nearly double the share of fossil fuel lobbyists on the COP29 participants’ list. CIEL noted the highest number at INC-5 from among the five rounds of negotiations for the plastics treaty so far. Fossil fuel and chemical sector lobbyists would form the largest single delegation at the meeting in Busan, significantly outnumbering the host South Korea’s 140 representatives.

Representatives from ExxonMobil, Dow, BASF, and Sabic are listed under various petrochemical industry groups, including the International Council of Chemical Associations and its regional counterparts in Canada, Australia, and Europe. These companies are investing more in their plastics divisions, building new manufacturing plants globally, and increasing production capacity. Fossil fuel giants see the plastics market as a promising replacement for power and transport in a clean energy future, as plastics production relies on oil and gas and is predicted to double or triple by mid-century.

These corporate giants strongly oppose the inclusion of any manufacturing curbs in the UN plastics treaty. BASF and ExxonMobil have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of production cuts on the environment and society. Similar arguments have been put forward by diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran in the negotiating rooms in Busan.

Civil society groups are calling for strong conflict of interest policies and disclosure of lobbying activities within the process. Indigenous representatives at the talks are outnumbered by industry, leading to concerns about the influence of lobbyists over Indigenous and scientists’ groups. Matt Perryman, a Kaupapa Māori social scientist and researcher, described the situation as “so unjust” and highlighted attempts by lobbyists to sway perspectives and prevent the treaty needed to hold corporations accountable.