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Based on new research, cabinet members met with agents of the fossil fuel industry over 500 times during their opening year in power – representing twice every weekday.

Significant Increase Compared to Prior Leadership

The analysis showed that petroleum sector advocates were in attendance at 48% additional government meetings under the existing leadership's first year compared to the year before.

Government Defense

Officials defended the discussions, stating that ministers engaged with a diverse array of agents from "power industry, labor organizations and public organizations to propel our clean energy major project".

Rising Worries About Industry Influence

However, the findings have generated worry among critics about the extent of the oil and gas sector's sway over ministers at a period when officials are working to lower bills and transition to a more sustainable energy infrastructure.

Key Findings

The study, which utilizes the ministerial published record of government discussions, also found:

• Ministers at the Energy and Climate Department met with oil industry representatives 274 times, with corporate delegates present at nearly 25% of sessions.

• The energy minister held discussions with fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with 33% of every engagement including industry figures.

• Throughout the equivalent duration ministry officials met with worker group agents 61 times.

• Multiple leading petroleum firms met with officials 100 times between them.

• Oil industry representatives attended nearly all official session about the excess profits charge, a temporary charge on the "unprecedented revenues" of offshore petroleum firms.

Party Statements

An ecological representative remarked: "Instead of listening to scientists, populations affected by environmental disasters, or parents eager to secure a secure tomorrow for their future generations, this administration is favoring industry advocates and profits for oil and gas giants."

Ministerial Response

Ministers maintained the results were "misleading", saying several of the corporations listed also had clean energy investments and that these were frequently the primary subject of the meetings.

"Our primary objective is a just, systematic and successful transition in the North Sea in accordance with our climate and statutory obligations, and we are collaborating with the field to safeguard present and coming generations of quality employment."

Global Background

Several leading oil and gas companies have been censured for slashing their green funding in the past few years amid a international resistance against environmental measures.

An activist coordinator from an ecological advocacy project commented: "Ministers vowed a government of service, but that isn't equivalent to submitting to businesses making money out of climate catastrophe. It's time to stop cosying up to environmental offenders and put people first."