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Based on recent analysis, cabinet members held discussions with representatives from the oil and gas sector in excess of 500 times in their first year in power – amounting to two times each business day.

Significant Increase Compared to Former Government

The analysis showed that oil industry representatives were in attendance at 48% additional ministerial meetings in the current government's initial year compared to the previous year.

Official Response

The government supported the engagements, claiming that ministers engaged with a broad spectrum of agents from "energy sector, unions and community groups to advance our sustainable energy superpower mission".

Growing Concerns About Industry Influence

Yet, the findings have caused alarm among critics about the scope of the oil and gas sector's sway over government at a period when leaders are striving to lower bills and transition to a environmentally friendly energy infrastructure.

Key Findings

The study, which draws from the ministerial published record of government discussions, also found:

• Officials at the Energy and Climate Department held meetings with petroleum sector advocates 274 times, with sector representatives attending nearly 25% of meetings.

• The climate official met with fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with a third of each discussion attended by sector representatives.

• In the same period ministry officials held meetings with worker group agents 61 times.

• Three leading oil corporations met with officials 100 times collectively.

• Fossil fuel lobbyists participated in the majority of ministerial discussion about the windfall tax, a short-term levy against the "exceptional earnings" of North Sea oil and gas companies.

Party Statements

An environmental politician remarked: "Instead of considering scientists, residents impacted by environmental disasters, or parents desperate to guarantee a secure tomorrow for their descendants, this administration is emphasizing corporate representatives and revenues for major petroleum companies."

Government Rebuttal

The government maintained the discoveries were "misleading", claiming many of the corporations listed also had renewable energy projects and that such matters were frequently the primary subject of the meetings.

"Our priority is a just, systematic and thriving change in the offshore region in compliance with our ecological and statutory commitments, and we are working with the sector to preserve existing and upcoming populations of quality employment."

Wider Perspective

Multiple leading fossil fuel corporations have been censured for slashing their environmental investments in recent years amid a worldwide opposition against climate action.

An advocacy leader from an environmental law organization remarked: "Officials promised a public-serving administration, but that shouldn't involve yielding to businesses profiting out of environmental crisis. It's time to discontinue preferential treatment of polluters and put people first."