Over 400 private jets arrive at COP27 climate summit, protesters call “hypocrisy”
Over 400 private jets carried world leaders to the COP27 environmental summit. According to Forbes, these private jets are 14 times more polluting than commercial planes and 50 times more polluting than trains.
- 2 years ago
November 22, 2022
COP27 illustration by Mónica Anduray Miguel
COP27 serves as an annual climate summit of global leaders. The 27th summit held this November took place in Egypt. Over 200 countries participated. When climate activists learned the number of private jets leaders arrived in, disruption broke out.
Early reports stated about 100 private jets arrived at the two designated airports for the summit. Later The Daily Mail and Business Insider India stated over 400 private jets flew in during that timeframe.
According to Forbes, these private jets are 14 times more polluting than commercial planes and 50 times more than trains. Individuals and groups concerned about climate change spoke out across social media and some activists staged protests, disrupting European airports.
They expressed dismay that higher polluting private jets carried world leaders meant to discuss fossil fuel reduction and CO2 emissions. They called the action “unnecessary pollution and hypocrisy.”
According to BBC News, a leader from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit punched back. He said, “The emissions are negligible compared to the impact of decisions and commitments made at these summits.” He continued, “If you want emissions to come down, you want leaders in the room and media, scientists and stakeholders asking the important questions.” Protesters wholeheartedly disagreed.
COP stands for ‘‘Conference of the Parties.” This committee came into fruition after the signing of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.
Original illustration by Mónica Anduray Miguel, commissioned for exclusive use by Orato World Media.
