Fossil fuel companies' funding of university research is delaying the transition to green energy, according to a new peer-reviewed study that identifies hundreds of cases where these firms influenced academic work.
Researchers reviewed thousands of studies on industry-funded academic research, finding that few examined fossil fuel companies' influence.
Oil and gas companies have poured money into climate research while maintaining roles on advisory boards, potentially skewing the focus toward preserving fossil fuel interests.
The study urges universities to disclose fossil fuel donors and suggests increased public funding to reduce reliance on these companies.
Key quote:
"We want to warn scholars and university leaders that they can be pawns in a propaganda scheme."
— Geoffrey Supran, University of Miami associate professor.
Why this matters:
Fossil fuel firms' influence on research risks compromising the integrity of climate science. Transparency and public funding could mitigate conflicts of interest and protect academic independence.
To fund, or not to fund? That is the question for organizations backing research on the world's climate crisis — the question they must ask about every proposal that crosses their desks.
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