🔗 Share this article Study Shows UK Ministers Held Meetings With Fossil Fuel Industry Representatives In 500 Sessions During Opening Year of Government Per new research, UK officials met with representatives from the fossil fuel industry in excess of 500 times during their first year in power – equivalent to two times each business day. Notable Rise Compared to Previous Administration The research revealed that petroleum sector advocates were participating in 48% additional official discussions under the present administration's first year versus the year before. Government Defense Officials defended the meetings, claiming that ministers held meetings with a broad spectrum of delegates from "the energy industry, unions and community groups to advance our clean energy leading initiative". Rising Worries About Industry Influence Yet, the discoveries have caused alarm among critics about the scope of the oil and gas sector's leverage over government at a period when leaders are working to reduce costs and shift to a greener energy system. Principal Results The study, which draws from the government's published record of government discussions, additionally revealed: Representatives at the Energy and Climate Department met with oil industry representatives 274 times, with industry figures participating in approximately one-fourth of sessions. The energy minister met with fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with a third of all his meetings including corporate delegates. Throughout the equivalent duration government representatives met with trade union representatives 61 times. Several prominent fossil fuel companies held discussions with ministers 100 times between them. Petroleum sector advocates were present at the majority of government meeting about the energy profits levy, a short-term tax on the "extraordinary profits" of North Sea oil and gas companies. Official Responses A Green party MP commented: "In place of considering experts, communities affected by flooding, or guardians desperate to secure a secure tomorrow for their descendants, this leadership is emphasizing lobbyists and revenues for oil and gas giants." Government Rebuttal The government maintained the findings were "inaccurate", saying several of the corporations mentioned also had clean energy investments and that these were frequently the main topic of the conversations. "Our main focus is a equitable, orderly and successful shift in the marine area in accordance with our climate and legal obligations, and we are cooperating with the field to protect existing and upcoming populations of decent work." Wider Perspective Multiple prominent fossil fuel corporations have been criticised for slashing their sustainable funding in the past few years amid a global pushback against environmental measures. A campaigns manager from an environmental law organization stated: "Officials vowed a people-focused leadership, but that doesn't mean submitting to corporations earning revenue out of ecological disaster. It's essential to cease favoring climate-damaging entities and focus on the public."