Oil And Gas Majors Stick To Their Guns On Climate Advertising

Published: Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6:30 am

Oil and Gas Companies Face Scrutiny Over Climate Advertising

Major oil and gas companies are facing increasing legal challenges regarding their climate change messaging, despite growing pressure to curb emissions. Unlike other industries, these companies have largely maintained their climate-focused advertising strategies, even as they face accusations of greenwashing.

Since the early 2000s, following the Kyoto Protocol, these companies have shifted from denying climate change to promoting themselves as key players in the energy transition. Their advertising often highlights investments in carbon capture, biofuels, solar energy, and hydrogen power. However, critics argue that these claims obscure the continued extraction of oil and gas.

A recent analysis of over 2,000 advertisements from five major oil companies in the United States, dating back to 2006, reveals a shift in messaging. The focus on fossil fuels has largely disappeared in the 2020s, replaced by claims of leadership in low-carbon technologies. This shift has occurred even as public and political pressure on climate challenges has intensified.

Several legal cases are underway. A French court is considering a case against TotalEnergies regarding its climate pledges. In Spain, Repsol won a case against Iberdrola over misleading advertising claims. However, a New York court recently rejected a greenwashing claim against oil companies, while in Australia, Santos is awaiting a verdict in a case brought by shareholders.

Other sectors, such as aviation, food, and clothing, have faced stricter regulations, leading to a reduction in misleading environmental claims. However, fossil fuel producers remain a primary target, accused of being the main source of global warming and spreading disinformation about their climate impacts. This has led to numerous legal cases in Europe and the United States, with some seeking to hold these companies financially responsible for the costs of climate change.

BNN's Perspective:

The situation highlights a complex challenge. While the shift towards cleaner energy sources is crucial, the continued reliance on fossil fuels and the potential for misleading advertising raise serious concerns. A balanced approach is needed, one that encourages genuine investment in sustainable technologies while holding companies accountable for their environmental impact and ensuring transparency in their communications.

Keywords: oil and gas, climate change, advertising, greenwashing, fossil fuels, energy transition, carbon capture, biofuels, solar energy, hydrogen power, legal challenges, environmental claims, sustainability, climate litigation

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