Drawn to the Truth: An Illustrated Exposé of Big Oil Playbook
Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Today, Environmental Defence Canada released its illustrated report “Exposing Big Oil’s Playbook”, which reveals ten tactics used by the fossil fuel industry to block the energy transition in Canada and keep us hooked on climate-polluting oil and gas.
As Prime Minister Carney’s government advances new fossil fuel infrastructure, through the MOU with Alberta that supports a new oil pipeline and by fast-tracking LNG as “projects of national interest” under Bill C-5, drops former climate policies from the agenda in its budget implementation bill, and moves to deliver nearly all the demands set out by fossil fuel industry CEOs, it’s critical to evaluate how Big Oil continues to exert influence in Canada.
The Playbook illustrates a clear picture of how oil and gas companies operate, how they generate support for the industry, and leverage it against effective climate solutions. While some of their tactics have been well-publicized, like lobbying, advertising and greenwashing, this report also brings attention to the strategies that are tougher to spot. For example, Big Oil funds astroturf groups, has infiltrated educational institutions, and keeps a revolving door between the fossil fuel industry’s corporate class and key government positions.
The intent of highlighting Big Oil’s coordinated playbook is to illustrate how Big Oil’s strategies work together, beyond isolated stories of the industry’s activities and individual tactics. Together, these tactics reinforce each other and form a comprehensive strategy that attempts to keep fossil fuels at the centre of our economy and society, despite them driving the climate crisis and widespread health and ecosystem damage. The fossil fuel industry has penetrated into our communities, governments, institutions, and media. The industry wants to keep Canadians and international consumers hooked and spending money on oil and gas, so they can continue to pocket billions in profits, while we struggle through an affordability crisis.
Climate science is clear. To prevent extreme and life-threatening global heating, the production and use of coal, oil, and gas must decline as rapidly as possible. In order to do so fairly, we should plan for and actively manage that decline. The energy transition around the world is accelerating, with efficient technologies and renewable energy sources like solar and wind that now provide the cheapest electricity in history. While other fossil fuel-exporting countries are making progress on the transition away from fossil fuels, Canada is falling behind. Why? Because Big Oil is using this playbook to keep Canada tethered to fossil fuels.
The Playbook breaks down Big Oil’s tactics in the following ten plays:
- Everywhere Advertisements & Greenwashing
- The “Good” Neighbour – Buying Community Consent
- The Curriculum Curator – Infiltrating Education
- The Petro-Puppeteer – Influencing the Public
- Front Groups
- The Municipal Manipulator – Fighting Climate Action by Town and City Councils
- Relentless Lobbyists
- The Revolving Door – Workforce crossover between Big Oil and government
- The Illusionist – False Solutions
- The Renewable Rundown – Undermining Climate Solutions
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Midhat Moini, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
