A report from InfluenceMap that exposes Big Oil’s true intentions in climate policy has led to new calls for representatives of fossil fuel companies to be excluded from the upcoming talks on climate change in Paris.
The talks, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP21) traditionally have large inputs from industry, NGOs and “civil society”, unlike other international negotiations.
A campaign called Kick Big Polluters Out is being launched during the final week of the UNCCC negotiations ahead of Paris.
“Around the globe people are calling for action now. We don’t have time to waste; governments must act now,” said Jesse Bragg of Corporate Accountability International, “There are too many lives at risk today to leave tomorrow up to the climate offenders that are driving the problem.”
Interference from the fossil fuel industry is proving an obstacle at almost every level, from direct sponsorship of the UNFCCC talks, to the release of a pro-oil report by an alliance between some of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. The report advocates industry friendly “market-placed” solutions.
Industry involvement in policy making is not only allowed, but encouraged. Shell & BHP announced a few weeks ago a partnership with McKinsey Consulting to “advise” governments on climate policy. These are similar tactics deployed by Big Tobacco as it attempted to position itself on the side of health and reason, whilst simultaneously staving off any action on Tobacco.
The InfluenceMap report compares Big Oil’s PR to the often contradictory lobbying and advocacy done on its behalf by its many front groups. Activists say it also confirms what many have known for some time: Big Oil has no intentions to walk the talk on climate change.
An Opinion Piece Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Lies, by Kelle Louaillier, President of Corporate Accountability International and Bill McKibben, the co-founder of the global movement 350.org, outline the rationale for this approach. The Paris talks begin late next month.
