"The government defended the meetings, saying ministers held meetings with a wide range of representatives from the energy industry, unions and civil society to drive forward our clean energy superpower mission. But the findings have raised concern among critics about the extent of the fossil fuel industry's influence over government at a time when ministers are trying to lower bills and transition to a more sustainable energy system."
"A report from the International Energy Agency in 2023 found that fossil fuel companies still had minimal engagement with the global clean energy transition, contributing just 1% of clean energy investment globally. Carys Boughton from Fossil Free Parliament, which carried out the research, said fossil fuel corporations were being given a backstage pass to government. These lobbyists should have no place in ministerial meetings about the energy transition, taxing profits or cutting our bills it's in their interest to sabotage these talks."
Analysis of government-published ministerial meeting records showed more than 500 meetings between ministers and fossil fuel industry representatives during the first year in power. Fossil fuel lobbyists attended 48% more ministerial meetings than under the previous Conservative government in 2023. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ministers met fossil fuel lobbyists 274 times, with industry figures present at almost a quarter of meetings. Ed Miliband met fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times, with industry present at a third of his meetings. Trade union representatives met DESNZ ministers 61 times. BP, Shell and Equinor met ministers a combined 100 times. Campaigners and critics warned that extensive industry access risks undue influence over the energy transition, taxation and efforts to cut bills, while the International Energy Agency reported fossil fuel companies contributed just 1% of global clean energy investment in 2023.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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