"Big Oil’s ‘Wokewashing’ Is The New Climate Science Denialism"

"Academic researchers say the fossil fuel industry has a new tool to delay efforts to curb emissions – a social justice strategy"

"ExxonMobil has been touting its commitment to “reducing carbon emissions with innovative energy solutions”. Chevron would like to remind you it is keeping the lights on during this dark time. BP is going #NetZero, but is also very proud of the “digital innovations” on its new, enormous oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile Shell insists it really supports women in traditionally male-dominated jobs.

A casual social media user might get the impression the fossil fuel industry views itself as a social justice warrior, fighting on behalf of the poor, the marginalized, and women – at least based on its marketing material in recent years.

These campaigns fall into what a handful of sociologists and economists call “discourses of delay”. While oil and gas companies have a long track record of denying climate change, even after their own scientists repeatedly warned of the harm caused by burning fossil fuels, now the industry’s messaging is far more subtle and in many ways more effective than outright climate science denial."

Amy Westervelt reports for the Guardian September 9, 2021.

SEE ALSO:

"‘We’re Going After Creatives That Greenwash Fossil Fuels’: The Group Targeting Ad Agencies" (Guardian)

"How Wall Street Is Gaming ESG Scores" (Bloomberg Green)

"Regulators Intensify ESG Scrutiny as Greenwashing Explodes" (Bloomberg Green)