'COP28 Hijacked By Fossil Fuel Profiteers'

Corporate polluters and fossil fuel profiteers "hijacked" the United Nations COP28 Global Climate Summit in Dubai, according to People Before Profit spokesperson, Maeve O'Neill.

Ms O'Neill said: "Almost 2500 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted access and the summit was chaired by a UAE oil company executive. Allowing access to some of the world’s biggest polluters makes a complete mockery of the event and feeds widespread cynicism. 

"November was the hottest November ever –  but corporate leaders want to keep burning fossil fuel. Governments and corporations are backsliding on emission reduction commitments they were forced to make following global climate action protests. 

"Meanwhile, Stormont's climate bill gathers dust - but it doesn't count for much when political parties who championed it were complicit in poisoning Lough Neagh, ignored the destruction wrought by the agri-business 'going for growth' strategy and set the stage for the Sperrins to be wrecked by toxic mining. 

"Capitalism and ruling elites are addicted to fossil fuel and arms industry profits no matter the cost to people and planet. Fossil fuels should stay in the ground. The hypocrisy evident at COP28 makes it clear only grassroots global people-power movements can save our planet."