Experts Debunk Big Oil Climate Pledges at Oversight Hearing: CCI Statement

ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, and other major oil and gas companies are driving the climate crisis through their continued pollution, insufficient corporate pledges, and spreading of climate disinformation, a panel of climate scientists and experts testified during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing today.

Board members from the four companies declined the committee's request to testify today, leading Chair Carolyn Maloney to schedule a March 8 hearing as "their last chance to cooperate."

In response, Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, released the following statement:

"It's now a matter of congressional record that the fossil fuel industry's 'business-as-usual' plans are exacerbating the climate crisis, not reducing emissions. Today's hearing made it clear that Big Oil's misleading pledges are simply more deception from an industry that has lied about climate change for decades.

"We now know why the Big Oil board members were not eager to participate in this hearing -- even the industry's staunchest defenders could not contest the fundamental fact that these companies are fueling climate change and are not serious partners in solutions.

"We're grateful to Chairs Maloney and Khanna for their continued work to advance the committee's investigation and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable."

A CCI background document (last updated Feb. 1) outlining the various flaws and loopholes in each of the companies' "net zero" plans is available here.

Background on today's Oversight hearing and ongoing investigation into Big Oil's climate disinformation efforts:

Today's hearing -- "Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil's Climate Pledges" -- featured expert testimony from Dr. Michael E. Mann, Professor of Atmospheric Science at Pennsylvania State University; Mr. Mark van Baal, Founder of Follow This, and Ms. Tracey Lewis, Policy Counsel at Public Citizen.

It was the second hearing held as part of the committee's investigation into "the fossil fuel industry's long-running campaign to spread disinformation about climate change and greenwash its role in causing global warming."

In an October 2021 hearing, the leading executives of the four oil and gas companies refused to commit under oath, during questioning from Chair Maloney and others, that their companies would stop spending money to oppose efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

Background on lawsuits seeking to hold Big Oil accountable for deceiving the public about climate change:

Since 2017, the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, as well as 20 city and county governments in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Washington, have filed lawsuits to hold major oil and gas companies accountable for deceiving the public about their products' role in climate change.