More than 300 industrial agriculture lobbyists have attended the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, a 14% increase from last year, according to a joint investigation by DeSmog and the Guardian. The number exceeds the 220 delegates from Canada, the world’s 10th largest economy.
Agriculture accounts for a quarter to a third of global emissions, and cattle ranching is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon. Scientists warn that up to half of the rainforest could reach a tipping point by 2050 due to land clearance and climate disruption.
Of the 302 lobbyists, 77 are part of official country delegations, with six having privileged access to UN negotiations. The meat and dairy sector sent 72 delegates, nearly double Jamaica’s negotiating team. JBS, the world’s largest meat company, has eight lobbyists, including its CEO.
Agrochemicals account for 60 delegates, and biofuels have 38, a 138% jump since last year. Bayer sent 19 lobbyists, the highest number. Critics say industrial agriculture has co-opted the climate convention, hindering real action.
Indigenous leaders condemned the presence of agribusiness lobbyists, stating they occupy space that should belong to forest peoples. The findings come amid frustration over corporate influence at climate talks, with the food sector benefiting from a lack of binding targets on emissions and meat consumption.
