The Science Museum in London has decided to cut ties with oil giant Equinor due to concerns over the sponsor’s environmental impact. Equinor had been sponsoring the museum’s interactive “WonderLab” since 2016, but the relationship is now ending, a move applauded by climate change activists.
The museum stated that it was ending the partnership with Equinor because the company had not made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions to align with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Equinor’s involvement in the development of the Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea, as well as a “gagging clause” in their sponsorship deal, also raised red flags.
The Science Museum confirmed that Equinor’s sponsorship had ended, with a spokesperson expressing appreciation for the past partnership but urging the company to work towards emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5°C warming limit. The museum director, Sir Ian Blatchford, informed Equinor that they were in violation of the museum’s commitment to align with the Paris Climate Agreement.
This decision has put pressure on the museum to reconsider its relationships with other fossil fuel sponsors, such as BP and Adani. The Church of England recently divested from fossil fuels after determining that major oil and gas companies were not in line with the Paris Agreement goals.
The move to sever ties with Equinor marks a significant shift in the museum’s stance on fossil fuel sponsorship. Previously, the museum had defended its partnerships with oil and gas companies, but the growing concern over climate change has prompted a change in policy.
Campaigners, including Chris Garrard from Culture Unstained, praised the museum’s decision to end the sponsorship. They emphasized the importance of holding companies accountable for their environmental impact and called for similar action against other polluting sponsors like BP and Adani.
This development follows other instances of organizations cutting ties with sponsors due to environmental concerns, such as Baillie Gifford’s funding withdrawal from several book festivals. The pressure to align with climate goals and promote sustainability continues to grow across various sectors, signaling a shift towards more responsible partnerships and practices.
