COP31 begins with trust at stake as integrity safeguards remain missing

COP31, Antalya, Türkiye

We have followed the UN climate negotiations for years, and we know how familiar the warning has become: the world is running out of time to avert the worst consequences of climate change. Familiarity does not make it any less true, and it is why the credibility of this process matters so much. That credibility must begin with integrity, yet the COP process has long lacked safeguards against conflicts of interest and undue influence.

As the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) begins in Antalya, the question is simple: will this process apply basic integrity rules to itself? Türkiye holds the COP31 Presidency, while Australia holds the Presidency of the Negotiations. Together, they could set an example. So far, they have not.

When access and influence are opaque, conflicts of interest risk becoming normalised, allowing those with the greatest stake in delaying the transition privileged access to decisions that affect us all. This includes not only fossil fuel interests, but also other high-polluting industries and emerging energy-intensive sectors, such as data centres. This is about more than transparency: it is about ensuring that climate negotiations serve the public interest.

COP30 showed what is at stake. 54% of participants in national delegations either did not disclose their type of affiliation or listed a vague category such as "Guest" or "Other". Our analysis of EU Member State delegations found 63 fossil fuel-linked delegates across nine countries, while more than 95% of non-state delegates entered on Party Overflow badges, which open the Blue Zone without the disclosure requirements observers face. Our Australian climate experts found a similar pattern in Australia's own Party Overflow delegations at COP28, COP29 and COP30: almost one in ten entries were linked to fossil fuel interests. These are organisational links, not evidence of individual conduct. But they demonstrate why access to these talks and the interests represented within them should not be a mystery.

The COP30 Brazilian Presidency showed that progress is possible. It introduced an ombudsman, an open dialogue on integrity and published engagement schedules. These steps were hard won and must not be lost. Neither COP31 Presidency has yet committed to carrying them forward.

We have urged the Australian Presidency to maintain and build on Brazil's integrity measures. In Bonn, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy pledged that COP31 would be marked by transparency, inclusivity and predictability. Integrity safeguards are essential to delivering on that commitment. Yet as these talks begin, there is no independent ethics committee or adviser, no clear conflict-of-interest standards or code of conduct, and no meaningful disclosure of ties to fossil fuel and other high-polluting industries.

There is still time to make some progress at this COP. We call on both Presidencies to convene dedicated discussions at COP31 on transparency, integrity and reform of the COP process, building on the Open Dialogue held during the Bonn intersessional meetings. These discussions should establish a clear path towards robust integrity safeguards by COP32, including an independent ethics mechanism, a code of conduct and clear conflict-of-interest standards.

In Antalya, both Presidencies should also take immediate steps within their own remit: make public the affiliations and any fossil fuel ties of their own delegations, and commit to stronger transparency and accountability standards for future COPs.

We stand ready to work with both Presidencies. We will be watching closely and report on what is delivered in Antalya. Integrity reform cannot be deferred indefinitely.

(Statement by Brice Böhmer, Climate & Environment Lead, Transparency International)

For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact: Transparency International Press Office: [email protected]

Priorities

• Climate crisis

Countries

• Australia
• Türkiye

Regions

• Global

Projects

• Climate Governance Integrity Programme