Allegations ExxonMobil used Big Tobacco tactics on climate change

Image | Earns Exxon Mobil

Caption: An Exxon tanker truck makes a refueling stop at an Exxon station. (J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)

An investigation has been launched into whether fossil fuel company ExxonMobil lied to the public and to investors about climate change and its risks to their business. This investigation comes on the heels of media reports alleging that ExxonMobil had a role in discrediting climate science. ExxonMobil has categorically rejected these allegations.
Environmental activists in Canada and around the world are closely watching how this investigation proceeds. From their perspective, this case could be a turning point in how we view the production and consumption of fossil fuels.
  • Pierre Sadik is a lawyer for Ecojustice(external link), an organization dedicated to fighting for the environment in the courts. He spoke to us from Ottawa.
  • Bruce Pardy(external link) is a professor in the faculty of law at Queens University. He joined us from Kingston

Image | Climate Countdown UN Talks

Caption: An ice floe floats on a lake in front of the Solheimajokull glacier, where the ice has retreated by more than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) since annual measurements began in 1931. (Thibault Camus/Associated Press)


ExxonMobil declined our request for an interview but sent a statement that reads, in part, "...ExxonMobil has included information about the business risk of climate change for many years in our 10-K, Corporate Citizenship Report and in other reports to shareholders."
The American Petroleum Institute and Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers declined to comment.
We reached out to the New York Attorney General but have not heard back.
This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry and Karin Marley.