ExxonMobil

The world’s biggest publicly-listed oil company has launched its latest public relations offensive. The winner of last year’s ‘Worst EU Lobbying Award’ for cynical manipulation of the climate debate, ExxonMobil launched an international advertisement campaign to greenwash the oil giant’s image: Adverts published in newspapers such as the European Voice and in public spaces such as Brussels International Airport peddle one main message: that ExxonMobil is doing its best to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and to protect the environment.

Messages floating in bright blue bubbles are designed to deceive observers into believing that Exxon is “…working to reduce emissions”. While another advert claims a “record low number of oil spills”. However, Exxon’s own corporate citizenship report tells a different story: Over the last 4 years, greenhouse gas emissions have increased by almost 6.5% and gas flaring (a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions) by over 45%. While the number of actual oil spills has decreased, the absolute amount of oil spilled has more than tripled between 2005 and 2006.

If you believe that companies should make real efforts to reduce emissions instead of spending millions on manipulating the facts, vote for ExxonMobil!

Samples of ExxonMobil adverts in this campaign

Two adverts which were part of a series published in the European Voice, Taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Values at Work (April 4-11, 2007 and May 24-30, 2007).

An advert published in different German newspapers (end 2006 and beginning 2007).

Ceiling-high adverts hanging in the jetways of Brussels International Airport (Zaventem).

More information

Corporate Citizenship Report 2006, ExxonMobil, 2007.

ExxonMobil’s misleading advertising campaign, Friends of the Earth Europe.

ExxonMobil’s Greenwash advertising at Brussels International Airport and a complaint against it, Friends of the Earth Europe.

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