How Saudi oil scientists ended up working on the world’s most important climate reports
Guardian investigation reveals fossil fuel links of IPCC authors, with experts declaring the body’s conflict of interest policy ‘not fit for purpose’
TL;DR
- A Guardian investigation found at least a dozen IPCC lead authors linked to Saudi Aramco and other Saudi oil interests.
- These authors are part of working group III, which focuses on emissions reduction policies and technologies, directly relevant to the fossil fuel industry.
- Experts and campaigners have criticized the IPCC's conflict of interest policy, calling it 'not fit for purpose' and questioning its application.
- An IPCC vice-chair, who also advises the Saudi energy ministry, continues to represent Saudi Arabia in climate negotiations.
- Despite concerns, the IPCC's conflict of interest committee reported no conflicts among authors for the Seventh Assessment Report.
- Several authors have affiliations with Saudi institutions like KAPSARC and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, which have strong ties to Saudi Aramco.
- The IPCC maintains that its diverse author teams and review processes ensure objectivity and credibility, and that no single author determines the report's conclusions.