This chapter explores the role of super majors like BP and Exxon compared to state-owned companies in fossil fuel production, highlighting the often overlooked fact that the majority of fossil fuels are actually produced by state-owned companies. It delves into the responsibilities and motivations of both types of companies and discusses the challenges of pressuring state-owned companies while the burden of criticism falls on the more visible super majors.
What Big Oil knew — from climate to Iraq.
John Browne, Chairman of BeyondNetZero, was CEO of BP from 1995 – 2007. In 1997, he broke ranks with the industry and delivered a landmark speech on the impact of burning fossil fuels on the climate. But this was two decades after Exxon had hired their own climate scientists and buried the results.
John explains what he and his executive team knew in the mid-nineties, insisting they began working solutions as soon as they understood the planet was heating up. However, as I point out, there are clues on BP’s website which suggest the company knew beforehand. We also discuss the impact of resources and particularly fossil fuels on conflict with John revealing he was invited to the Pentagon around the time of the Iraq war to estimate how much oil was in the Middle East nation.
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© Rachel Donald
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