Fossil fuel industry's influence in schools, sports, and education via sponsorships and programs
Consensus Summary
Two news articles from the Guardian and ABC reveal that fossil fuel companies, including Shell, Woodside, Santos, and BHP, have sponsored over 260 programs in schools, sports clubs, and museums, reaching tens of thousands of children. Comms Declare, a climate advocacy group, published a report highlighting concerns that these programs underplay the role of fossil fuel corporations in climate change while promoting individual actions to reduce emissions. The Greens and independent senator David Pocock are calling for a Senate inquiry to examine the industry’s influence, arguing that fossil fuel companies are 'petro-grooming' children to build social licence. Industry representatives, including the Minerals Council of Australia and the Queensland Resources Council, defend the programs as valuable for education and job opportunities, particularly in regional areas. The resources minister, Madeleine King, supports industry sponsorships of sports but did not address other educational programs. Both articles agree that transparency and oversight of these partnerships are lacking, with some educational materials criticized for presenting biased or outdated information.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Comms Declare identified at least 260 fossil fuel industry-backed programs or sponsorships reaching children and teenagers in early childhood centres, schools, sports clubs, museums, and career pathway programs.
- The Greens and independent senator David Pocock are backing calls for a parliamentary/Senate inquiry into the fossil fuel industry’s presence in schools and sports clubs, described as 'petro-grooming'.
- Shell and its subsidiary Queensland Gas Company sponsored an education program at the Queensland Museum, producing learning materials for young students and free professional development courses for teachers.
- Woodside Energy’s Australian Science Project (WASP) reached 12,300 children in-classroom and provided professional development to thousands of teachers, according to a 2021 corporate report.
- The Queensland Resources Council’s Oresome Resources program recorded over 43,500 users this financial year, with workshops aligning with the Australian curriculum and developed by educators.
- The Minerals Council of Australia and the Queensland Resources Council defended their industry-backed programs, stating they promote awareness of energy’s role in the modern world and job opportunities in mining.
- Comms Declare’s report highlights that some educational materials underplay the role of fossil fuel corporations in producing emissions while emphasizing individual actions to reduce emissions.
- The resources minister, Madeleine King, defended industry sponsorships of grassroots and elite sports, stating they help clubs stay afloat and provide opportunities for local kids, particularly in country areas.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A school’s STEM program sponsored by a major fossil fuel company encouraged pupils aged eight and nine to build models of offshore drilling activities using bread, Vegemite, and sprinkles.
- Comms Declare’s founder, Belinda Noble, stated: 'The coal oil and gas companies are profiteering [and] polluting, while simultaneously petro-grooming our kids.'
- The Greens’ resources spokesperson, Steph Hodgins-May, accused fossil fuel companies of using programs to 'build social licence'.
- Madeleine King’s statement to Guardian Australia specifically endorsed industry sponsorships of sporting clubs without commenting on other programs.
- The report suggests over $50 million had been spent by mining companies in just six of the identified programs, implying far greater spending across all programs.
- A Woodside-supported teaching material states: 'While we often think that greenhouse gas emissions are only from industrial activities, we all contribute to the global carbon footprint,' without mentioning fossil fuel production.
- The Queensland Resources Council’s Oresome Resources materials include a PowerPoint presentation describing solar power as 'not reliable' because it is not always sunny and the 'cost of power is high'.
- Independent senator David Pocock compared fossil fuel industry involvement in schools to tobacco companies teaching about respiratory health, stating: 'We don’t allow tobacco companies to go into schools and teach about respiratory health.'
- The ABC cited a 2020 ASIC review of school banking programs, which found young children were 'vulnerable consumers' exposed to sophisticated marketing tactics, leading to some programs being removed.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states that Madeleine King 'strongly endorsed industry sponsorships of sporting clubs without commenting on support for other programs,' while the ABC does not explicitly mention her response to non-sport sponsorships.
- The Guardian reports that the Greens will push for a Senate inquiry before the federal parliament rises for a five-week winter break, but the ABC does not specify a timeline for the inquiry push.
Source Articles
‘Get your dirty hands off our kids’: fossil fuel industry’s presence in schools and sports clubs sparks concern
Greens and David Pocock accuse industry of using programs and sponsorships to ‘build social licence’, push for parliamentary inquiry Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Greens and David Pocock have backed calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged “petro-grooming” of children after an investigation exposed the extent of the fossil fuel sector’s presence in schools, sports clubs and other educational insti
Coal and gas giants spend tens of millions on school and kids' sport programs
Santos, BHP, Woodside and others have an "extensive presence" in childhood settings through more than 260 programs, a new report identifies, as senators say classroom programs and lessons written by the industry should be examined through a senate inquiry.