Since 1985, streams and rivers have repeatedly suffered “acute” levels of toxic chemicals in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, despite U.S. efforts to paint a rosy environmental image abroad.

The ‘sustainability principles’ outlined in the document could in fact contribute to increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere, a policy analyst has claimed.

The countries involved produce only a small proportion of global oil and gas supply, but see the world-first diplomatic effort as a starting point.

Campaigners criticised the Spanish energy giant and its subsidiary ScottishPower, an official COP26 sponsor, over their green PR at the UN climate summit.

The major American bank is helping fund the Coastal Gaslink pipeline, which threatens First Nation lands in Canada.

A DeSmog analysis found that the delegations from multiple countries are heavily drawn from their oil ministries and even large oil companies. Shell and other publicly traded oil giants are also attending the climate proceedings under the cover of trade groups.

Campaigners said the news demonstrated a “classic case of the revolving door” between “big polluters” and governments.

Campaigners have described the event in Glasgow as a "farce" and a "corporate schmoozefest".

Denmark and South Africa were the only exceptions among the 35 country pavilions at the UN climate summit, and the latter’s stall is sponsored by coal companies.

Environmental groups are calling on world leaders to bring in tougher rules on fossil fuel companies’ access to policy-making processes.