Shell’s new startup, Onward, presents itself as a global hub for accelerating the energy transition and achieving net-zero goals, utilizing sleek branding and aspirational imagery of a clean future. However, an analysis reveals that the platform primarily functions as a recruitment tool for oil and gas exploration roles, with the vast majority of visible projects focused on expanding fossil fuel production rather than developing genuine renewable solutions. This discrepancy highlights a widespread greenwashing strategy among major fossil fuel corporations, including Shell, Exxon, and Saudi Aramco. By investing heavily in climate-tech branding and hosting industry conferences, these companies create an illusion of commitment to sustainability. This marketing narrative allows them to maintain public legitimacy and influence while simultaneously ramping up oil and gas extraction, effectively delaying the drastic production cuts necessary to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Experts characterize these initiatives as a "Trojan horse" that co-opts the language of collaboration to dilute climate action. By positioning themselves as equal stakeholders in the green transition, fossil fuel giants obstruct meaningful regulatory change and secure continued access to critical policy discussions. This approach enables them to deflect responsibility and maintain profitable extraction operations under the guise of solving the very crisis their core business helps to exacerbate.
Source: theguardian.comPublished on 2024-02-29
Related news
- Poisonous Climate Ignorance Fueled By Fossil Fuel’s Dirty Lies - ecoRI News
- Renewable energy certificates, defying criticism, take off in Southeast Asia
- ASIC Slaps Melbourne Securities With Greenwashing Infringement Notice
- Explained: Carbon credits
- New York AG says meat producing giant made misleading environmental claims to boost sales