Oil Companies Use Paid News Media Partnerships to Protect ‘Social Licence to Operate,’ Documents Show
Oil major BP considers deals to place paid-for content in trusted media brands as key to influencing the Washington power players who set U.S. energy policy, according to internal company documents. The communications provide a rare unvarnished glimpse into the strategic value the oil industry places on multi-million-dollar sponsorship deals with outlets such as the […]
GB News Owner Hires Tory Kingpin’s Oil and Gas Linked Lobbying Firm
One of the major backers of broadcaster GB News is now employing a leading right-wing lobbying company that has ties to polluting interests. The UK register of lobbyists shows that since January, the influential CT Group has been representing the Legatum Institute, a think tank funded by the Dubai-based investment firm Legatum Group, which co-owns […]
Edelman and Shell Renew Their Global PR Deal
The global PR giant Edelman has won the bidding war for Shell’s worldwide public relations account — the latest extension of the two companies’ decades-long relationship. As first reported on Monday by Provoke Media, the account is “estimated in the eight-figure range”, placing Shell among Edelman’s most lucrative clients. Edelman, which states publicly that it “believes […]
State Agency Met with Oil-by-Rail Firm in Private Ahead of Permit Application
Oregon state environmental regulators are deciding whether to issue an air permit for a contested oil-by-rail operation in Portland, a site that received local approval after a deal worked out in private between the company and city officials. Now, new documents show that the state agency also met privately with the company before the application […]
Gas Lobbyists Want LNG Expansion in Canada’s Arctic
What might give Canada a competitive edge in the world of gas exports? Stewart Muir of Resource Works seems to think the Mackenzie River Delta might make a good location for a future LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal. “The flexibility of gas in Canada, where it’s located, is really an all-coast opportunity,” said Muir at […]
Net Zero Ministers Met Oil and Gas Representatives Twice a Week in 2023
Ministers in charge of the UK’s climate policies met with fossil fuel companies and lobbyists over 100 times last year, four times as much as they did external climate scientists, campaigners, and charities, DeSmog can reveal. Across 2023, 12 major oil companies and industry lobby groups attended meetings 102 times with ministers in the Department […]
Labour MP Quits Politico Climate Event Over Equinor Sponsorship
A Labour MP has withdrawn from a Politico energy and climate conference after learning that Norwegian oil company Equinor was among the sponsors. Alex Sobel, who represents Leeds North West, had been due to join a panel on decarbonising the UK grid at the May 16 event in London. “I have decided to withdraw from […]
BP and Shell ‘Shaped’ UK Carbon Tax Proposals, Private Emails Show
Fossil fuel giants BP and Shell were given “ample opportunity” to privately influence proposals for taxing oil and gas companies that were later backed by the government, new documents reveal. Internal BP emails show that its UK executives were reassured by a controversial oil industry group that they could “shape [the] internal thinking” of a […]
New Report ‘Ringing the Alarm Bell’ for Climate Advocacy Conflict of Interest
A new report reveals Colorado firms have been lobbying on behalf of oil and gas interests while also representing climate advocacy groups for new regulations to combat fossil fuel pollution.
A Vaccine for Climate Misinformation
“The climate crisis is a hoax,” “climate action is too costly,” “the climate has already changed in the past”: Misinformation about climate change is everywhere, coming at us from multiple directions. Fake news circulates online. Political leaders make denier and delayer arguments. Companies with a vested interest in the status quo put out greenwashing and […]