Oil companies are strategically partnering with universities to influence climate change research and policy, recently revealed documents show.
Emma Dumain and Corbin Hiar report for E&E News.
In short:
- Major oil companies have donated millions to prestigious universities to shape research and gain favorable insights for their business interests.
- Congressional investigators released documents showing that these partnerships were designed to influence perceptions of oil and gas companies in climate debates.
- Critics argue that the industry is leveraging its academic relationships to minimize its responsibility for climate change and avoid meaningful emission reductions.
Key quote:
“The evidence uncovered by Oversight Committee Democrats shows that Big Oil has run campaigns to confuse and mislead the public while working unceasingly to lock down a fossil fuel future.”
— Jamie Raskin, Democratic Representative
Why this matters:
Oil companies are trying to control the narrative around climate change by shaping academic research to align with their interests, undermining independent science and influencing policy. Read more: How the “Halliburton Loophole” lets fracking companies pollute water with no oversight.
