# Conflicts of interest and undue influence in climate action: Putting a stop to corporate efforts undermining climate policy and decisions URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/conflicts-of-interest-and-undue-influence-in-climate-action Type: Publication or report Published: 2021-11-01 Updated: 2026-01-06 --- 01 November 2021 Public decision-making has long been subject to lobbying from private interests, such as businesses. Policy development concerning climate change is an ongoing major lobbying target of some of the most powerful industries. 2017 study by Influence Map found that 35 of 50 of the most influential companies in Europe and North America were actively lobbying to delay or dilute climate policy. These include companies in the fossil fuel value chain, energy-intensive companies, electric utilities and automotive manufacturers. This policy brief explores the role of industry in climate policy and the importance of addressing conflicts of interest and undue influence to ensure climate action is taken urgently, efficiently and transparently. It explores developments at the UNFCCC related to conflicts of interest and where perceived conflicts of interest have been identified in the run-up to COP26. The brief also puts forward recommendations concerning enhanced accountability and transparency within the UN climate negotiations and mechanisms related to the Paris Agreement and the Marrakech Partnership. Among other things, Transparency International recommends that: • The UNFCCC should establish definitions of “conflict of interest” and “undue influence” to ensure adequate controls on party delegations and engagement in negotiations • The Paris Agreement Global Stocktake should secure inputs – including from civil society – on levels of private-sector finance used for lobbying and influencing governments at national, regional and international levels to undermine climate policy. ### Related publications ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Accelerating Action Against Criminal and Corrupt Wealth: Recommendations for the London Illicit Finance Summit](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/recommendations-london-illicit-finance-summit) Publication • 28 May 2026 This paper sets out recommendations on how governments participating in the UK Illicit Finance Summit can deliver credible and ambitious outcomes. ## [Fuelling Delay: How fossil fuel interests shape global climate negotiations](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/fuelling-delay-how-fossil-fuel-interests-shape-global-climate-negotiations) Publication • 30 October 2025 Fuelling Delay draws on 39 interviews with climate negotiators, UNFCCC observers, and researchers, complemented by field observations from COP29 in Baku and the 2025 Bonn mid-year… ## [The role of business in fighting impunity and corruption to protect environmental defenders](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/the-role-of-business-in-fighting-impunity-and-corruption-to-protect-environmental-defenders) Publication • 20 October 2025 The paper offers a roadmap for action, urging businesses, policymakers, and investors to embed integrity beyond compliance and strengthen protections for defenders and… ## Priorities - [Climate crisis](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/climate-crisis) - [Extractive industries](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/extractive-industries) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) ## Projects - [Climate Governance Integrity Programme](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/climate-governance-integrity-programme) - [Towards Inclusive Governance for Forest Carbon Markets](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/towards-inclusive-governance-for-forest-carbon-markets) ![Blue cover page, TI logo, document title: Conflicts of interest and undue influence in climate action](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2021-Conflicts-of-interest-undue-influence-in-climate-action-cover.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2021_ConflictsOfInterestClimateAction_PolicyBrief_EN.pdf)