Report finds major oil firms shifting from climate pledges to messaging that defends fossil fuels as essential, raising concerns over delayed global energy transition and accountability gaps urgent policy action.
Some of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies are entering a new phase of “climate gaslighting” to justify continued oil and gas expansion, according to a new international analysis.
The report, Toxic Accounts: From Greenwashing to Gaslighting, published by Clean Creatives, examined more than 1,800 advertisements, public statements and campaign materials from major energy giants including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron between 2020 and 2024.
The findings suggest a significant shift in messaging, from promoting climate action and clean energy to framing fossil fuels as essential for economic stability and national security.
As global temperatures continue to rise and pressure mounts for a transition to clean Energy, the report warns that such messaging strategies risk delaying urgent climate action.
Without stronger accountability and clear policy direction, analysts say the world may struggle to move away from fossil fuels despite growing scientific and public consensus on the need for change.
From climate promises to fossil fuel defence
According to the report, earlier campaigns frequently highlighted net zero commitments and positioned companies as partners in the global energy transition. However, by 2023, messaging increasingly portrayed oil and gas as “indispensable” to modern life.
For example, BP was found to have moved away from strong climate pledges toward campaigns defending continued fossil fuel expansion while scaling back its renewable ambitions. Chevron, meanwhile, shifted from its “Human Energy” branding to more nationalist messaging linking domestic fossil fuel production to economic resilience.
Researchers noted that despite differences in tone, all companies followed a similar trajectory, moving from “part of the solution” to “you can’t live without us.”
Promoting ‘false solutions’
The report also highlights a growing emphasis on technologies such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon capture and storage (CCS), blue hydrogen and biofuels, often presented as climate solutions.
However, experts argue that many of these technologies remain fossil fuel dependent or unproven at scale.
“Greenwashing has taken on a new form,” said Nayantara Dutta, lead author of the report. “Instead of making false claims, companies are promoting false solutions that prolong dependence on fossil fuels.”
Profits and narrative shifts
The analysis suggests a link between shifting narratives and financial performance. Companies that quickly pivoted toward energy security messaging such as Chevron and ExxonMobil also performed strongly in the market.
Shell, previously seen as a leader in net zero ambitions, has increasingly focused on LNG as a long term growth strategy.
Global climate politics and rising tensions
The findings come amid growing global debate over fossil fuel dependency, particularly following discussions at the COP30 summit in Belém where efforts to include fossil fuel phase out language in the final agreement ultimately failed.
At the same time, geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, have intensified concerns about energy security, with rising oil and gas prices influencing policy decisions worldwide.
Environmental groups such as 350.org have called on major economies to impose windfall taxes on fossil fuel companies, accusing them of profiting from global instability.
A sophisticated form of disinformation
Experts warn that this shift represents a more subtle and potentially more dangerous phase of climate misinformation.
“This is climate disinformation evolving in real time,” said Dana Schran of the Climate Action Against Disinformation coalition. “Instead of denying the crisis, companies are reshaping the narrative to make fossil fuel expansion appear necessary and responsible.”
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the trend reflects a deeper systemic issue. “We are witnessing a deliberate shift from greenwashing to gaslighting. Fossil fuel companies are no longer just misrepresenting their climate actions, they are actively reshaping public perception to normalise continued dependence on fossil fuels. This delays urgent climate action and puts vulnerable communities, especially in the Global South, at even greater risk,” he concluded.
