🔗 Share this article Research Shows UK Ministers Held Meetings With Fossil Fuel Lobbyists On 500 Occasions During Initial Year of Office Based on new research, cabinet members met with representatives from the fossil fuel industry more than 500 times during their first year in government – amounting to two times each working day. Significant Increase Compared to Former Government The analysis revealed that petroleum sector advocates were present at 48% additional official discussions in the current government's opening year compared to the year before. Ministerial Justification The government defended the discussions, stating that ministers engaged with a broad spectrum of agents from "energy sector, unions and community groups to propel our clean energy major project". Increasing Apprehensions About Corporate Lobbying Nevertheless, the discoveries have caused alarm among analysts about the degree of the oil and gas sector's leverage over ministers at a period when ministers are attempting to decrease expenses and transition to a greener energy infrastructure. Principal Results The study, which is based on the government's published record of official engagements, also found: Ministers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero met with oil industry representatives 274 times, with sector representatives participating in nearly 25% of sessions. The energy minister held discussions with petroleum sector advocates 250 times – with one-third of every engagement attended by corporate delegates. In the equivalent duration department ministers met with trade union representatives 61 times. Multiple leading fossil fuel companies met with officials 100 times between them. Petroleum sector advocates participated in the majority of official session about the excess profits charge, a interim tax on the "exceptional earnings" of marine petroleum firms. Official Responses An ecological representative stated: "Instead of listening to researchers, residents impacted by flooding, or parents anxious to ensure a protected environment for their children and grandchildren, this government is prioritising industry advocates and earnings for large energy corporations." Ministerial Response The government maintained the results were "inaccurate", stating numerous of the firms listed also had renewable energy projects and that these were often the primary subject of the discussions. "Our priority is a equitable, orderly and prosperous change in the marine area in accordance with our ecological and legal requirements, and we are collaborating with the field to safeguard present and coming generations of good jobs." Wider Perspective Several leading oil and gas companies have been condemned for reducing their green funding in recent years amid a global pushback against climate action. An advocacy leader from an ecological advocacy project remarked: "Ministers pledged a government of service, but that doesn't mean yielding to corporations profiting out of ecological disaster. It's essential to cease favoring climate-damaging entities and put people first."