An NJTODAY investigation has exposed startling ethical conflicts among lobbyists in New Jersey who represent both fossil fuel companies and entities advocating for climate action.
The findings underscore the complex web of influence that spans local governments, corporations, cultural institutions, and advocacy groups, raising questions about the integrity of efforts to combat the climate crisis.
Environmental groups spent over $30 million on federal lobbying in 2023, more than in any other year but far less than the oil and gas industry, according to federal lobbying disclosures reviewed by OpenSecrets.
Some of that money went directly to lobbyists who represent fossil fuel companies.
Research by F Minus reveals more than 1,500 state-level lobbyists who are playing both sides of the climate crisis by working for the fossil fuel industry at the same time they are working for people, communities, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations and others being harmed by the crisis.
The watchdog group said that lobbyists in New Jersey are working for both the culprits of climate change and its victims.
At the forefront of this intricate nexus is the Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG), which counts major fossil fuel companies like TC Energy and Atlantic Richfield among its clients while also representing liberal-run cities, universities, technology firms, and environmental organizations purportedly dedicated to fighting climate change.
“The Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) represents most of the major fossil fuel companies doing business in the state, including TC Energy, Atlantic Richfield, and the sponsors of the now-canceled PennEast Pipeline,” said F Minus founder James Browning. “PPAG also lobbies on behalf of 18 different health care interests, including the Nemours Foundation.”
“A September 2022 report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found that the climate crisis will have increasingly severe effects on residents’ physical and mental health, especially among low-income communities and people with chronic health conditions,” said Browning, who is calling on foundations, nonprofits, and governments to cut ties with lobbyists and firms that represent fossil fuel interests.
Fossil fuel companies bear great responsibility, he said, for pushing the planet beyond the increase in average global surface temperatures considered to be the tipping point for larger and more frequent catastrophic climate events.
Dark money groups founded by oil industry lobbyists are behind efforts to influence voters in competitive political contests and for decades, fossil fuel companies have engaged in deceptive misinformation campaigns.
The duality of such firms representing both sides of the divisive climate issue underscores the paradoxical nature of lobbying activities, where interests often clash despite shared overarching goals.
Critics argue that such arrangements are inherently hypocritical, with lobbyists advocating for fossil fuel interests while simultaneously claiming to support climate action initiatives.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that New Jersey is currently embroiled in legal battles against big oil firms for their role in exacerbating climate-related damages, with some of these firms sharing lobbyists with the state.
A lawsuit brought by New Jersey officials against fossil fuel industry defendants is seeking damages and other relief in connection with the defendants’ alleged substantial role in causing climate change and resulting harms to New Jersey.
Moreover, the reach of lobbying extends beyond traditional sectors, with law firms like Archer Public Affairs and Decotiis Fitzpatrick Cole & Giblin LLP also engaging in representation for both fossil fuel entities and various public entities, including municipalities, counties, and educational institutions across the state.
The investigation further reveals that leading U.S. companies in the banking, insurance, and technology sectors are among those employing lobbyists who also advocate for fossil fuel interests.
Despite corporate claims about commitments to sustainability and renewable energy transitions, these companies continue to collaborate with lobbyists whose efforts may undermine progress toward climate goals.
According to the findings, companies like Amazon, Facebook/Meta, and Apple are among the tech sector giants employing lobbyists with ties to the fossil fuel industry, raising questions about the sincerity of their environmental commitments.
Similarly, leading insurance firms and banks, including State Farm, Allstate, and Bank of America, have been identified as clients of lobbyists involved in promoting fossil fuel interests.
The investigation also highlights the inadequacy of existing lobbyist disclosure laws, which often lack transparency and fail to provide comprehensive insight into lobbying activities. This opacity hampers efforts to hold companies and organizations accountable for their associations with lobbyists representing conflicting interests.
In response to these revelations, advocates have called for greater transparency and accountability in lobbying practices, urging companies to reassess their partnerships with lobbyists who may compromise their stated climate objectives.
As the urgency of addressing the climate crisis grows, it becomes increasingly imperative for stakeholders to align their actions with their professed commitments to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
A report released by F Minus in December found 19 U.S. climate-focused foundations that pursue non-climate policy goals in areas such as education were employing fossil fuel lobbyists.
Collecting data on climate legislation and state-level lobbyist registrations from 2022-23, the report highlighted four climate foundations whose grant-making is “most conflicted” with pro-fossil-fuel advocacy among their lobbyists: Ballmer Giving, New Venture Fund, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Pittsburgh Foundation.
The findings of this investigation underscore the need for heightened scrutiny and vigilance in navigating the complex interplay between lobbying interests and climate action initiatives. Only through transparent and principled engagement can meaningful progress be achieved in the fight against climate change.
This report is based on data compiled by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and insights from advocacy groups focusing on climate and environmental issues.