BP has been accused of “straight-up climate vandalism” after it abandoned a promise to reduce oil and gas production by the end of the decade.
The UK-based energy multinational previously pledged to slash oil and gas output by 40 per cent by 2030 – before weakening this target last year to 25 per cent. Now, it’s ditching the goal altogether to improve profits, according to reports. BP raked in more than £4billion in the first half of the year.
Green groups reacted with anger and said the move was the final proof the oil giant “cannot be trusted” on the clean energy transition. Rosie Hampton of Friends of the Earth Scotland hit out: “This decision shows what we’ve known along – that the oil industry is only interested in prolonging its climate-destroying business model, despite the hurricanes, fires and floods it will bring to everyone else.
“BP has lobbied Scottish politicians over 100 times in recent years and now that the firm has dropped any pretence of being interested in moving away from fossil fuels, MSPs and ministers must finally refuse to meet with this major polluter. The Scottish Government has let the fossil fuel industry dictate the pace and terms of the transition for too long.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “This is straight-up climate vandalism from one of the biggest polluters on our planet. It’s clearer than ever that with the sun setting on the fossil fuel industry, the multibillionaire board members are putting their profits ahead of our planet’s future.
“It’s on all politicians to push governments and companies to ensure workers can transition to cleaner, greener jobs whilst we decarbonise our economy.” BP CEO Murray Auchinsloss is planning to ditch the 2030 target early next year as part of efforts to bolster investor confidence, according to Reuters.
Harvie added: “Whilst Mr Auchincloss stresses about his multibillion pound corporate profits, future generations are worrying about what they will have left of our planet.”
A BP spokesman said: “As Murray said at the start of the year in our fourth-quarter results, the direction is the same – but we are going to deliver as a simpler, more focused, and higher value company.”
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