Let me be absolutely clear—civil society has been loud and united in our demands:

First, we need a real, enforceable conflict of interest policy in the UNFCCC space. That means establishing an accountability framework that applies to everyone—governments, observers, and institutions. Disclosure is not enough. We need clear definitions, binding criteria, and consequences when lines are crossed.

Second, there must be an immediate end to big polluters sponsorships and partnerships. There is no justifiable reason why climate talks—meant to serve peoples and the planet—should be bankrolled by those who have profited most from the crisis. No more logos. No more side deals. No more influence in exchange for money.

Third, meaningful participation of frontline and grassroots communities must be guaranteed. We are tired of seeing spaces filled with lobbyists while Indigenous peoples, women, children and youth, and peoples and communities from the frontline of this crisis locked out, tokenized, or simply ignored. Participation must be equitable, funded, safe, and real.

And finally, we demand a complete system reset. That means cutting off the grip of polluting interests and building a system rooted in justice, care, and real climate solutions. It means ending fossil fuel expansion and making space for community-led responses that uphold human rights and Indigenous sovereignty.

These are not radical demands—they are basic protections any legitimate public process should have.

And we are not alone in making them.

These demands come from a movement of over 450 organizations united under the Kick Big Polluters Out campaign. We are climate justice networks, feminist movements, health advocates, youth and Indigenous groups, human rights defenders, and environmental organizations from every region of the world. Together, we represent millions of people who refuse to let those most responsible for the crisis set the terms of the solution.

We’ve exposed the rising number of lobbyists inside these talks. We’ve built pressure on the UNFCCC Secretariat. We’ve shown up at every COP—loud, organized, and clear: get the polluters out.

And let’s be honest—this isn’t complicated. Conflict of interest policies already exist across the UN system. The WHO, the OECD, the UNDP—they all have some level of safeguards. But here at the UNFCCC? Nothing. And that vacuum has been filled with decades of delay, distraction, and denial.

So what needs to happen next?

We are calling on Presidencies and national governments to stop hiding behind the process and step up. Define and implement conflict of interest protections now. Ban polluter partnerships and sponsorships. Guarantee the leadership of the people most impacted. And start building a process that puts life before power and profit.

Because if this space truly intends to protect the peoples and this planet, it cannot continue to be a playground for vested interests. And if governments are serious about climate justice, then cleaning up the process is the first, most basic place to start.