Universities' ties to fossil fuel firms may stall climate progress, study warns

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.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• 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.

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• Scientist: Fossil fuels’ two-way assault on children’s health needs to stop.
• How utilities’ fossil fuel investments are driving up rates for the most vulnerable