Our playbook guide to deceptive fossil fuel practices: part six
When it comes to the insidious techniques that the industry is using to greenwash its image, undermine climate negotiations, and delay progress, there are many. This time, we’re examining how fossil fuel companies infiltrate climate policy and decision making. COP28 is almost over. With this year’s climate negotiations drawing to a...
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Opinion – We need to ground airlines for greenwashing
A series of airline adverts have been banned for false sustainability claims. It’s a promising step in the right direction. When it comes to pointing global warming’s finger of blame, airlines tend to be first on the receiving end. But having long been criticised for its significant carbon footprint (which accounted...
An in-depth look at the UAE’s ADNOC oil empire
As the world gathers to confront the climate crisis, summit president Sultan Al Jaber’s oil giant casts a shadow of doubt between fossil fuel interests and the imperative for sustainable climate action. COP28 has seen its fair share of controversy – the vast majority of it surrounding Sultan Al Jaber. The...
Carcinogenic ‘forever chemicals’ found in England’s drinking water samples
Toxic forever chemicals, which never break down in the natural environment or the human body, have been found in drinking water supplies in England. Although we typically stray from doomsday-type news on Fridays, the fact that England’s drinking water is confirmed to contain toxic forever chemicals is the kind of...
Our playbook guide to deceptive fossil fuel practices: part five
When it comes to the insidious techniques that the industry is using to greenwash its image, undermine climate negotiations, and delay progress, there are many. Here, we break down crisis actors and fake experts. If you’ve been following this series over the last fortnight, you’ll likely have noticed a pattern. The...
Half of all alcohol companies market to Gen Z by using ‘healthy’ buzzwords
Low calorie, low sugar, and gluten-free labels on pre-mixed alcoholic beverages are attempts to lure health-conscious young people into drinking, a research team in Australia says after analysing the labels of 491 different beverages. If your health is declining, the first thing you’ll likely be told to do is...
Egypt’s soilless farming revolution is underway
In the arid landscapes of Egypt, where the Nile River has long been the lifeline for agriculture, a groundbreaking agricultural revolution is taking root, soilless farming. In recent years, Egypt has been increasingly thwarted by water scarcity. The Nile, which has been the nation’s primary source of water for agriculture, is being put under growing pressure due to factors such as climate change, population growth, and local pollution. Additionally, the...
Our playbook guide to deceptive fossil fuel practices: part one
When it comes to the insidious techniques that the industry is using to greenwash its image, undermine climate negotiations, and delay progress, there are many. Here, we break down astroturfing and corporate personhood, highlighting how they relate to this year’s COP28 summit. ‘What’s the point of our climate summits if they’re being undermined by a shadow network of fossil fuel lobbying?’ This question, asked by a campaigner to...
Schiphol Airport U-turns on plan to cut 40,000 flights per year
The Dutch airport, which acts as a European hub for international connecting flights, has cracked under pressure from the US and other neighbouring EU countries. Earlier this week, the Dutch government announced that its largest and busiest airport will temporarily abandon plans to reduce the number of flights it allows to land yearly by at least 40,000. Schiphol Airport, located in the capital city of Amsterdam, is a major European...
Carbon credits potentially linked to Uyghur forced labour
The largest carbon consultancy, South Pole, has sold carbon credits from the Bachu Carbon Project to huge companies like BP and Spotify for years. Alarmingly, a recent investigation has exposed its potential link to coercive labour involving the Uyghur community. The ambiguous mechanics and overall effectiveness of carbon credit schemes often come into question, but ethical misgivings are creating an even greater headache. One such project located in Xinjiang, China, claimed...
