MEPs are set to scrutinise fossil fuel companies’ “undue influence” on energy policy, it has emerged.
This comes after the European Parliament confirmed it will hold a public hearing to investigate the role played by fossil fuel firms in the EU’s energy crisis response.
A petition has already been submitted to the EU by the “Fossil Free Politics” coalition. It was signed by over 91 civil society organisations.
This was backed by research highlighting what campaigners call the “substantial influence” the fossil fuel industry has had on the European Commission.
This, it is further alleged, includes over 200 meetings between top Commission officials and fossil fuel companies the year after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The public hearing – a date is yet to be fixed – will include expert speakers, Members of the European Parliament and fossil fuel company representatives.
Fossil Free Politics and another group, People Over Polluters,have been campaigning for a public hearing since 2022.
Commenting, Chloé Mikolajczak, Fossil Free Politics coordinator, told this site:”At a time when the European Commission should have held fossil fuel companies to account for their role in causing and profiteering from the energy crisis, instead they put them in the driving seat to lead the response.”
“By calling a public hearing, the European Parliament has listened to the voices of over 100,000 who say there is no room for fossil fuel influence in our politics.”
“This is a first step to hold fossil fuel companies to account, but it’s time for systemic change.”
“We need a conflict of interest framework, similar to that for tobacco companies, to be enshrined to ensure this does not happen again. Fossil fueled interests have no place in our politics.”
No one from the Commission was immediately available for comment.
