Oil companies leverage academic partnerships to influence climate change action

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.