According to a recent investigation, hundreds of industrial and agricultural lobbyists attended the COP29 climate meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. Representatives from some of the biggest agricultural firms in the world, including food giant PepsiCo, animal medicines manufacturer Elanco, and Brazilian meatpacker JBS, are returning this year, along with influential trade associations that represent the food industry. According to DeSmog and The Guardian’s investigation, 204 agriculture delegates have attended the discussions so far this year. The findings indicate that companies in the agriculture sector, which contributes up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, continue to place a high importance on climate COPs, even though the overall number has decreased from the record highs at COP28.
The rising influence of agricultural lobbyists
Lobbyists for the food industry continue to have a significant impact; they visit Baku as members of national delegations from Brazil, Russia, and Australia, among other countries. Compared to 30% at COP28 and only 5% at COP27, approximately 40% of delegates this year wore nation badges to the meeting, giving them preferential access to diplomatic conversations. According to the data, 20 of the 52 representatives from the meat and dairy industry who attended the meeting this year accompanied Brazil’s government. They together outnumbered the delegation of Barbados, a Caribbean island that was ravaged by Hurricane Beryl, a climate change-related calamity, in July. Giants in industrial agriculture have been attending COPs in greater numbers over the past three years, and they have developed sophisticated communications strategies to appeal to decision-makers. Since sheep and cattle contribute around one-third of the world’s methane emissions, producers of meat and dairy products in particular are facing increased scrutiny. In addition to using synthetic fertilizers that are derived from fossil fuels and release greenhouse gases, farming is the primary cause of deforestation. However, despite the fact that numerous studies and peer-reviewed research indicate that the best way to reduce emissions is to drastically reduce meat and dairy herds and switch to healthier, sustainable food, the agribusiness sector actively campaigns against stricter environmental laws and dietary changes in the US, EU, and at climate
Meat and dairy industries under scrutiny
There is a blatant “conflict of interest” between the need for climate action and the participation of big agribusiness at the UN negotiations, according to An Lambrechts, a senior campaign strategist with Greenpeace International. She contended that the fossil fuel sector has the same issue, as they attempt to divert attention from the range of measures and solutions required to combat climate change and its effects. Climate Watch Thailand’s Wanun Permpibul told DeSmog: “The voices of frontline communities, particularly smallholder farmers, Indigenous peoples, women, and local food producers, are systematically excluded when Big Agriculture dominates the discussion.” This year’s summit, which is taking place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, at the Olympic Stadium, is attended by approximately 66,000 people, including delegates from the agriculture sector. Attendance has decreased by 25% overall since COP28, and more than 1,700 delegates are associated with the fossil fuel sector. The largest meat corporation in the world, JBS, brought three representatives to Baku and is among those working in agriculture on the ground. The largest food firm in the world, Nestlé, and the second-largest pesticide company in the world, Bayer, both brought ten staff to COP29.
Pesticide advocates push back on regulations
JBS claimed to have released 156 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2022, which was greater than the Netherlands’ or Ukraine’s yearly emissions. Due to “fake sustainability claims” and a “misleading” net zero plan, the corporation is now being sued in the United States. For comment, JBS was approached. As part of a coordinated public relations campaign by the meat industry to combat its detractors, the corporation promised to attend COP28 in force last year, sending 11 representatives to the conference. Global Witness reportedly connected the corporation to deforestation in Brazil’s Pará area in August 2024. Nestlé, which entered the negotiations via Switzerland’s delegation, has emissions that are three times higher than those of the host nation. Additionally, it belongs to lobby groups that have opposed environmental action, such as the European Dairy Association (EDA), which is also present in Baku and has attempted to stall EU efforts to impose stricter methane emission regulations.
Impact of lobbying on policy outcomes
“We advocate for Paris Agreement-aligned lobbying in the trade associations and other types of private sector-led coalitions where Nestlé is a member at global, regional, and local levels,” the company said in response to its participation in the European Dairy Association. “Reaching net zero requires effective engagement and contributions from real economy actors, and we believe our role is critical in helping achieve effective outcomes,” Nestlé stated about its attendance at the summit.
