IPCC Authors Linked to Saudi Oil Interests Identified
Journalists found twenty authors of the upcoming IPCC climate report maintain ties to Saudi energy institutions.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Environmental
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Investigations have identified twenty lead authors within the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report's third working group who hold current affiliations with Saudi Arabian oil and gas entities. The IPCC's internal conflict of interest committee previously reviewed the selection process and found no conflicts.
Why it matters
The inclusion of researchers linked to major fossil fuel producers raises significant questions regarding the integrity of international climate assessments. This development highlights the influence of Saudi Arabian climate diplomacy, which increasingly prioritizes carbon capture and storage technologies within global policy discussions.
Working group III of the Seventh Assessment Report includes 223 lead authors, with 20 linked to Saudi institutions. Notably, five authors originate from the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, while others maintain direct employment with state-owned firms.
The players
IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a United Nations body that synthesizes scientific research on climate change.
Saudi Aramco
A state-owned Saudi Arabian petroleum and natural gas company that is the largest oil producer in the world.
King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center
A Riyadh-based research institution focused on energy economics and policy that is chaired by the Saudi energy minister.
Mustafa Babiker
A coordinating lead author for the IPCC who has maintained a 20-year tenure at Saudi Aramco.
Diego Armando Moya Pinta
An IPCC lead author employed by Saudi Aramco who is listed with an Imperial College London affiliation.
The details
The IPCC selects its contributing experts through a committee process designed to identify and mitigate potential conflicts of interest. Despite this vetting, authors like Dr. Mustafa Babiker—a Saudi Aramco employee with a 20-year tenure at the company—hold positions as coordinating lead authors. Other researchers, such as Dr. Diego Armando Moya Pinta, are listed with academic affiliations at Imperial College London while simultaneously being employed by Saudi Aramco.
Timeline
2026: The IPCC Seventh Assessment Report cycle is currently underway.
The Tech Race
This controversy places the Seventh Assessment Report in direct competition with historical standards for climate research independence. The conflict exposes the growing pressure to define the future of energy policy through the lens of carbon capture research.
This disclosure affects how policymakers and the public perceive the independence of global climate modeling data. Readers should monitor the upcoming 2026 publication cycle to see if the IPCC implements changes to its conflict of interest disclosure requirements.
The takeaway
The tension between energy industry involvement and scientific independence remains a focal point for global climate governance. Watch for any formal responses from the IPCC or member state delegations regarding the strengthening of conflict of interest protocols before the final report is published.
Further reading
For broader analysis on climate policy and international research standards, see our Environmental section.
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