BP accused of ‘greenwashing’ on climate change

OIL and gas giant BP has been accused of “greenwashing” after insisting it can be part of the solution to the challenge posed by climate change.

Environmental law specialist Clientearth said it had filed a high-level complaint against BP, which has significant operations in the North Sea.

The filing claims BP is misleading consumers about its focus on low-carbon energy and solutions to climate change in a costly advertising campaign. BP launched a global advertising drive as the company tried to reinforce its claim that it is responding positively to the climate change challenge.

On the group’s website BP says its adverts show the firm’s commitment to delivering the energy the world needs, while advancing a low carbon future un the theme of “possibilities everywhere”.

“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,” said Clientearth lawyer Sophie Marjanac.

“This is a smokescreen ... more than 96 per cent of the company’s annual capital expenditure is on oil and gas,” she added.

Clientearth has claimed BP’S adverts breach international guidelines for multinationals on environmental communications and advertising.

It wants BP to withdraw all advertising until it complies with them.

BP strongly rejected the suggestion its advertising is misleading. A spokeswoman noted BP had clearly said the world is on an unsustainable path and must do more to reduce emissions.

It supports a rapid transition of the world’s energy systems and is committed to advancing a low-carbon future, she said.

She added: “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 ... natural gas and advanced fuels.”