European Leaders In Procurement Blog

Executives at some of the world’s biggest oil companies would have been woken by some interesting phone calls this morning after an apparently bona fide press release proclaimed that the likes of Shell and BP had agreed to a commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2050.

However, as cornflakes were collectively choked over breakfast bars on both sides of The Atlantic, it soon became clear that their companies had been victims of an elaborate hoax.

Having mocked up a portal to look identical to that of the US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a consortium of some of the world’s most influential organisations and corporations, the ‘press release’ included the rather eye-catching headline “major businesses announce commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions by 90 percent.” What’s more, the release claimed that this was ‘no strings attached’ commitment.

“In an effort to encourage decisive action (at climate change talks) in Bali this week USCAP’s members have committed to a 90% reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” Matt Leopold, a spokesman for commission said. “This commitment should send a strong message to the assembled countries and businesses about the type of reductions needed to stop global warming," he added, no doubt with a wry smile upon his face.

Among the companies listed as USCAP members were Alcoa, BP, Dow, DuPont, Ford and Shell.

It didn’t take long for the hoax to surface, however. With company spokespersons falling over themselves to deny any knowledge of the commitment. BP’s press office in London said although it was a member of the USCAP consortium it would not, unsurprisingly, commit itself to a 90 percent reduction without conditions attached. Similar denials were swiftly forthcoming from Shell.

The hoax is though, just one in the latest of a series to hit the oil industry in the past month, with the Yes Men – activists who specialise in doubling up as oil executives, complete with outrageous statements on the environment – being particularly busy in recent weeks.

Last month they posed as executives from ExxonMobil and the National Petroleum Council (NPC) and managed to dupe, albeit briefly, up to 300 delegates at Canada’s largest oil conference, GO-EXPO.

They told their unsuspecting audience that the oil industry could keep “fuel flowing” by transforming dead people into oil. “We need something like whales but infinitely more abundant,” ‘NPC rep’, Shepard Wolff, told delegates before experiencing the hospitality on offer at Calgary’s largest police station.