An inquiry published by the Guardian has cast doubt on the impartiality of experts contributing to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The scrutiny focuses on potential conflicts of interest among those tasked with producing the organization’s next major assessment.
According to the findings, 20 of the 223 lead authors responsible for the section evaluating methods to reduce or remove emissions have significant conflicts of interest. More than half of these individuals are connected to Saudi institutions, including two employees of the oil major Saudi Aramco.
The disclosure raises concerns about the independence of the scientific review process underpinning global climate policy recommendations.
20 out of 223 sounds like a small fraction, but is it really? How much influence do these authors actually hold?
Saudi Aramco employees shaping emissions policy? The conflict of interest here is glaring and deeply concerning.