Climate activists hold night protest against Science Museum’s fossil fuel partnership
Student climate activists hold a protest inside London’s Science Museum over its sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies.
The UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN) protest is against the museum’s announcement that a new gallery would be supported by a subsidiary of the Adani Group, the multinational business involved in coal extraction and coal-fired power stations.
The gallery, due to open in 2023, will be called the Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery.
The Science Museum has also faced criticism for partnering with Shell to fund an exhibition on carbon capture and storage.
Professor of Climate Science Chris Rapley CBE resigned earlier this month from the Science Museum’s Advisory Board over the issue of fossil fuel sponsorship and the museum’s willingness to accept money from major oil and gas companies.
The Metropolitan Police said it was in attendance at the protest, but no arrests have been made.
Climate activists hold night protest against Science Museum’s fossil fuel partnership
Student climate activists hold a protest inside London’s Science Museum over its sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies.
The UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN) protest is against the museum’s announcement that a new gallery would be supported by a subsidiary of the Adani Group, the multinational business involved in coal extraction and coal-fired power stations.
The gallery, due to open in 2023, will be called the Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery.
The Science Museum has also faced criticism for partnering with Shell to fund an exhibition on carbon capture and storage.
Professor of Climate Science Chris Rapley CBE resigned earlier this month from the Science Museum’s Advisory Board over the issue of fossil fuel sponsorship and the museum’s willingness to accept money from major oil and gas companies.
The Metropolitan Police said it was in attendance at the protest, but no arrests have been made.
Pippa Garland, partner specialising in charities at law firm Russell-Cooke, said the Science Museum/Adani partnership was a “surprising move.”
“Where other charities, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, have backed down from oil firm sponsorships, the Science Museum appears to have doubled down on its position. It seems inevitable that there will be further protests and media attention, with the resultant possible regulatory action. In a time where the public increasingly expects to charities to live by their values, the trustees will need to be able to justify why this partnership is in the best interests of the charity, despite the potential reputational damage.”
Nick McAleenan, Partner in Media Law at JMW Solicitors, was equally critical of the decison, he said: “Clearly, the Science Museum serves to inform and educate about all things scientific. Oddly, they appear to be justifying taking carbon energy companies’ money on the basis that this will allow them the opportunity to discuss issues with their sponsors. And then reportedly agreeing not to criticise certain major organisations (their sponsors) – which surely impedes their ability to perform their task of informing and educating. They might be better off adopting a more neutral approach to such matters – by not accepting the money in the first place.”