BP is facing legal action for an alleged climate “greenwashing” advertising campaign now running on billboards, newspapers and television in the UK, US and Europe.
Lawyers from not for profit ClientEarth filed a complaint against oil giant BP, saying the energy giant is misleading consumers about its focus on low carbon energy and solutions to climate change.
BP rejects the accusation that its advertising is misleading.
ClientEarth is using an official complaints procedure under the guidelines of the OECD, an international set of rules governing corporate conduct.
The complaint focuses on BP’s Keep Advancing and Possibilities Everywhere campaigns, its biggest campaign in a decade.
“BP is spending millions on an advertising campaign to give the impression that it’s racing to renewables, that its gas is cleaner, and that it is part of the climate solution,” says ClientEarth climate lawyer Sophie Marjanac.
“This is a smokescreen. While BP’s advertising focuses on clean energy, in reality, more than 96% of the company’s annual capital expenditure is on oil and gas. According to its own figures, BP is spending less than four pounds in every hundred on low-carbon investments each year. The rest is fuelling the climate crisis.”
BP doesn't agree.
"BP has clearly said that the world is on an unsustainable path and must do more to reduce emissions. We support a rapid transition of the world’s energy system," BP told AdNews.
"BP is of course well-known as a major oil and gas producer. We are also committed to advancing a low carbon future.
"So one of the purposes of this advertising campaign is to let people know about some of the possibilities we see to do that, for example in wind, solar and electric vehicle charging, as well as in natural gas and advanced fuels."
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