Lord of the Lobbyists: The Petroleum Fellowship of the Ring

Have you ever wondered how the astoundingly unpopular fossil fuel industry still manages to smash its way through regulations like a wrecking ball through a gingerbread house? Plot twist; it's not their dazzling charm or environmental good deeds. It's lobbyists. And how. Think Sauron, but with considerably less fire, and considerably more grey suits. 

It's Not All About the Benjamins, Baby:

A fresh-out-the-oven report by the Good Lobby nonprofit slaps the spotlight on those “small but dirty” public affairs and law firms working overtime to scrub fossil fuel giants clean, wielding the brush of their influence like Picasso in the halls of the European Union. You'd expect these influence powerhouses to be sitting atop a mountain of petrodollars, but here's the kicker: fossil fuel giants represent just a meagre 1% of these firms' total revenue, proving that the ties could be snipped without much financial blood-letting. But, true to form, a lack of public and regulatory pressure means most lobbyists aren’t hanging up their greenwashing paintbrushes any time soon.

Dirtying their Hands to Clean Big Oil's Image:

The report, shared exclusively with the Guardian, lists the salaries public relations firms received from their fossil fuel clientele, showing a rather puzzling trend: some firms are deepening ties between Big Oil and those making public-facing sustainability declarations. Company statements promise green transitions and support for sustainable progress, while simultaneously facilitating the omitting of climate targets and a lack of emission reduction on behalf of their fossil fuel clients. It's like saying you're on a diet while sneaking a donut during your gym workout.

Out of the Shadows:

The researchers behind this report hope to drag these polluting puppeteers out from behind their curtains, stirring up much the same reckoning as the Clean Creatives movement, which has led over 1300 advertising agencies to refuse work with fossil fuel firms. The idea? Make it harder for polluters to interfere with climate action, squeeze talent away from these “dirty” firms, and to protect firms from potential regulatory crackdowns. Might the age of Big Oil's fellowship of spin burn out faster than we think? Only time, and a healthy dose of public and regulatory pressure will tell.

We hope you enjoyed this article. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you want to engage in the discussion.

If you want to read more like this, make sure to check out our Blog and follow us on Instagram. If you are interested in truly sustainable products, check out our Shop.

Check out the original source here.