Climate activists are reportedly “baffled” by Egypt’s decision to have Coca-Cola sponsor this year’s COP27.

Campaigners have told the BBC that the deal “undermines the talks” as the majority of plastics that the soft-drink brand produces are made from fossil fuels.

Coca-Cola has said that it “shares the goal of eliminating waste and appreciates efforts to raise awareness”.

The global climate talk event will be hosted in November by the Egyptian government in Sharm el-Sheikh. The nation announced last week that it had signed the sponsorship deal with the multinational corporation.

“Through the COP27 partnership, the Coca-Cola system aims to support collective action against climate change,” Coca-Cola Global vice president of public policy and sustainability, Michael Goltzman, said.

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Opposition to the decision has increased in the past week, with climate activists accusing Coca-Cola of ‘greenwashing’. More than 5,000 campaigners have signed a petition calling for the COP27 decision to be reversed.

According to the BBC, the brand admitted to using three million tonnes of plastic in 2019.

Earth Uprising International’s Mohammad Ahmadi added: “This action by the COP27 presidency goes against the purpose of the conference.”

While neither Egypt’s COP27 presidency nor UNFCCC responded to the BBC’s request for comment, Coca-Cola told the broadcaster: “While we have made progress against our World Without Waste goals, we’re also committed to do more, faster.”

UNOCHA ambassador and Ugandan activist, Nyombi Morris concluded: “When polluters dominate climate negotiations, we don’t get good results. As an African activist, I am concerned that more of our lakes are going to be filled with plastics again.”