🔗 Share this article Analysis Reveals UK Government Officials Held Meetings With Fossil Fuel Lobbyists On 500 Occasions During First Year of Office Per new research, government ministers engaged with agents of the oil and gas sector over 500 times throughout their first year in government – equivalent to twice every weekday. Notable Rise Compared to Previous Administration The research found that fossil fuel lobbyists were present at 48% more official discussions during the present administration's initial year compared to the previous year. Official Response Officials justified the meetings, asserting that representatives conducted discussions with a wide range of agents from "the energy industry, labor organizations and public organizations to drive forward our sustainable energy leading initiative". Growing Concerns About Sector Pressure However, the results have raised concern among observers about the degree of the fossil fuel industry's sway over ministers at a period when ministers are striving to decrease expenses and move to a greener energy infrastructure. Major Discoveries The analysis, which is based on the ministerial released data of ministerial meetings, additionally revealed: Ministers at the Net Zero Ministry engaged with oil industry representatives 274 times, with corporate delegates participating in almost a quarter of sessions. The climate official met with oil industry representatives 250 times – with 33% of each discussion attended by industry figures. In the same period government representatives held meetings with trade union representatives 61 times. Multiple prominent fossil fuel companies held discussions with representatives 100 times collectively. Oil industry representatives participated in nearly all government meeting about the windfall tax, a temporary levy against the "unprecedented revenues" of marine energy corporations. Party Statements A Green party MP commented: "Instead of listening to experts, communities suffering from flooding, or guardians desperate to ensure a safe future for their children and grandchildren, this administration is emphasizing industry advocates and profits for large energy corporations." Official Denial Ministers asserted the findings were "misleading", stating several of the companies included also had renewable energy projects and that these topics were often the focus of the discussions. "Our priority is a just, systematic and successful shift in the offshore region in accordance with our environmental and legal obligations, and we are collaborating with the sector to safeguard current and future generations of decent work." Global Background Various major fossil fuel corporations have been censured for cutting their green funding in the past few years amid a worldwide opposition against climate action. An activist coordinator from an climate legal group commented: "The government pledged a public-serving administration, but that isn't equivalent to yielding to businesses making money out of climate catastrophe. It's time to stop cosying up to climate-damaging entities and prioritize citizens."