'Greenwashing': fossil fuel execs to hold invite-only forum at UN climate summit

(The Guardian, 18 Sep 2019) BP, Shell and Chevron representatives will be at event on sidelines of UN climate summit.

Oil and gas executives are holding an exclusive invitation-only forum with environmentalists and government representatives on the sidelines of the UN climate summit, in what critics have condemned as an attempt to influence negotiations in favour of fossil fuel companies.

Senior executives from leading oil companies including BP, Shell and Chevron will be at the event in New York on 22 September, which they describe as a “closed high-level discussion” with key stakeholders.

Meanwhile, António Guterres, the UN secretary general, will be bringing world leaders, academics, government representatives and environmentalists together for a climate action summit in the city on 23 September. The UN says the summit is an attempt to motivate countries, companies, cities and civil society to achieve the objectives of the Paris climate agreement.

The invitation sent to some summit guests from Bob Dudley, group chief executive of BP and chair of the industry-led Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), and Jérôme Schmitt, chair of the OGCI steering committee, described the 22 September meeting as an intimate gathering.

Dudley and Schmitt wrote in the invitation: “This will be an opportunity to speak personally with the CEOs and share your thoughts on OGCI’s progress and commitments over the last year.”

The men said the meeting would involve “our most important stakeholders from across industry, academia, government and non-profits for this closed high level discussion”.

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The Guardian, 18 Sep 2019: 'Greenwashing': fossil fuel execs to hold invite-only forum at UN climate summit