Non-profit Climate Action Network (CAN), which confers the satirical award each day of the UN climate talks, said Indonesia’s actions represent the “most blatant example yet of corporate capture by a developing country” at this year’s summit in Belém, Brazil.
According to CAN, Indonesia’s delegation included 46 fossil fuel lobbyists this year – one of the largest contingents from any developing nation and a figure highlighted in new research by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition.
The group found that Indonesia went further than allowing lobbyists to attend: it used talking points drafted by industry groups almost word-for-word during a key Article 6.4 session, which will determine how global carbon markets operate under the Paris Agreement.
The controversy centres on Indonesia’s intervention during discussions on the Supervisory Body’s annual report for Article 6.4, the Paris Agreement mechanism intended to ensure high-integrity carbon markets. CAN alleges that Indonesia’s statement mirrored language from a letter circulated by Conservation International – a non-profit that develops and sells carbon credits – and co-signed by several groups with direct interests in carbon trading.
The letter called for weaker rules on carbon offset permanence, softer treatment of carbon-reversal events, and looser safeguards for nature-based offsets. Such positions run counter to scientific recommendations and risk undermining environmental integrity in a mechanism meant to protect it, CAN warned.
Industry association International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), whose board includes oil and gas majors, was among the groups supporting the letter. IETA has 58 fossil fuel lobbyists inside COP30 – more than many small or climate-vulnerable countries have in their entire national delegations.
Beyond the negotiation rooms, CAN criticised Indonesia for using its national pavilion as a marketplace to promote carbon credits aimed at offsetting rising fossil fuel-based emissions. The move contrasts sharply with the summit’s broader objective: accelerating a global shift away from fossil fuels.
At COP dominated by polluter influence, Indonesia reaffirms net zero target
The criticism of Indonesia comes amid a wider debate over corporate influence at COP30. The KBPO coalition found that 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists have been accredited at this year’s talks – meaning one in every 25 participants represents oil, gas, or coal interests. It is the highest concentration ever recorded at a UN climate summit.
Fossil lobbyists now outnumber the entire delegations of many climate-vulnerable nations by ratios as high as 40 or 50 to one. Many wealthy countries continue to embed fossil fuel representatives directly within their official negotiating teams.
CAN said that while developed nations “wrote the script” for corporate capture at the COP, Indonesia has delivered “its most brazen sequel yet” by allowing fossil fuel interests to take centre stage in its official negotiating position.
The spoof award comes after Indonesia’s special envoy of the president for climate and energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to mitigating climate change and accelerating the transition toward net zero by 2060 or sooner – a target that has been “critically insufficient” to meet the 1.5°C global heating ceiling by Climate Action Tracker.
Speaking at COP30 on Saturday, Hashim said: “Indonesia came to Belém with a clear message: we remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthening national climate action and are ready to work with other countries to advance initiatives that are inclusive, ambitious, and results-driven.”
In its second Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement, announced late October, Indonesia set out an ambition to cut emissions by 1.2 to 1.5 gigatonnes of CO equivalent (COe) by 2035. This target will be supported by increasing the renewable energy mix to 23 per cent by 2030 and advancing new technologies, including nuclear energy.
In May, the country announced that over the next decade it plans to add 69.5 gigawatts of generation capacity – around 76 per cent of which will come from renewable energy and storage technologies.
Also speaking at COP30, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, environment minister and head of the environmental control agency, said: “COP30 marks a defining moment to prove that green development is not only possible but also beneficial. Indonesia leads by action, not by promises.”
