Meet the ‘Extreme’ Atlas Network Groups Fighting Canada’s Oil and Gas Emissions Cap

Within hours of Canada’s federal government announcing key details during COP28 about its plans to cap greenhouse gas emissions within the oil and gas sector, the country’s top conservative think tanks started sounding the alarm. Experts who study the influence of conservative think tanks in Canada say the thread linking these attacks is the U.S.-based libertarian think tank, the Atlas Network.

‘Inoculate From Criticism’: A Closer Look at the Public Relations Companies Active at COP28

There’s only a few days to go before Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the first oil executive to preside over UN climate negotiations, brings down his gavel in Dubai.   While COP28 delegates have been wrangling over the wording of the all-important text, DeSmog has been tracking an overlooked factor in climate diplomacy: the role of […]

Big Meat and Dairy Delegates Triple at COP28

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Lobbyists from industrial agriculture companies and trade groups have turned out in record numbers at COP28, which this year has a strong focus on tackling emissions from the food sector. Attendees are present from some of the world’s largest agribusiness firms – such as meatpacker JBS, fertiliser giant Nutrien, food […]

US Republicans at Dubai Climate Summit Have Accepted $11 Million in Fossil Fuel Donations

DUBAI, LONDON — Republican lawmakers with a presence at the international climate summit in Dubai   — known as COP28 —  have received over $11 million in fossil fuel donations, DeSmog can reveal. DeSmog’s review of three Congressional COP28 delegations comprising dozens of senators and representatives has found that of the 36 Republican lawmakers involved, […]

Report: Canada and U.S. Are Top Public Funders for CCS with Nations Prepared to Inject $200 Billion More

Canada is the world’s second leading source of public funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, according to a new Oil Change International report, even though many experts say CCS is a greenwashing cover to pump more oil.

Leader of Ecocide Movement Aims to Criminalize Long-term Harm to the Environment 

Jojo Mehta co-founded Stop Ecocide in 2017, alongside legal pioneer the late Polly Higgins, to support the recognition and establishment of ecocide as a crime at the International Criminal Court at the Hague. In an interview with the online Climate Consciousness Summit 2023, Mehta spoke about the inspiration behind the ecocide movement, and how governments are adopting measures to make the law.

Canada May Soon Give a $15.3B ‘Carbon Bomb’ Subsidy to Big Oil, Experts Say

As world leaders meet in Dubai for the COP28 climate negotiations, federal and provincial governments in Canada are preparing to give an estimated $15.3 billion in new subsidies to oil and gas companies, and other heavy emitters, for expanding the production of fossil fuels, according to climate experts. 

Reuters, New York Times Top List of Fossil Fuel Industry’s Media Enablers

Darren Woods, the CEO of Exxon, celebrates the potential of carbon capture to dramatically reduce global emissions. According to Saudi Aramco’s podcast, the fossil fuel industry is innovating new climate solutions, and BP’s podcast proclaims more of the same.  These messages sound like they’ve been pulled from the public-relations departments of the world’s largest oil […]

Telegraph Sale ‘Middleman’ Nadhim Zahawi is a Guest of UAE at COP28

DUBAI — Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi is attending the COP28 climate summit as a guest of the United Arab Emirates, DeSmog can reveal – prompting questions about his role as the intermediary in the host country’s prospective takeover of a major British newspaper. An investment fund backed by the UAE has reached an agreement to […]

Mapped: Big Ag’s Routes to Influence at COP28

As this year’s climate summit gets underway in Dubai, powerful food and farming companies are well positioned to ensure their interests are protected. They will use their connections to network, lobby – and even raise investment. These agri-giants will be rubbing shoulders with over 80,000 participants – the highest attendance of any climate conference – […]