EU Parliament holding hearing on tobacco-style controls on fossil fuel lobbyists

European Parliament, Brussels – room ASP1G3 – 14 February, 14:30-16:00

To RSVP, please complete this form

On 14 February, MEPs in the European Parliament’s petitions committee will hold the first-ever public hearing into the fossil fuel industry’s role in causing the cost of living crisis and discuss options for how to protect policymaking from its lobbyists’ influence, in response to petitions by the Fossil Free Politics coalition.

The hearing, entitled “The responsibilities of fossil fuel companies in the cost of living crisis”, will analyse “the need for an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representatives associations and civil society, independent from the fossil fuel industry.”

Expert panelists on energy poverty and economics will discuss the fossil fuel industry’s responsibility for the cost of living crisis, followed by an intervention from experts in tobacco industry lobbying tactics and controls to protect public health policies.

Confirmed speakers:

  • Isabella Weber – Associate Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Stefan Bouzarovski – Professor of Human Geography, University of Manchester
  • Anna Gilmore – Professor, Department for Health, Director, Tobacco Control Research Group, University of Bath
  • Sebastian Dullien – Professor for International Economics, HTW Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Greenpeace EU climate and energy campaigner Silvia Pastorelli said “The fossil fuel industry has fought long and hard to make sure that the energy we use in Europe is unaffordable for many, and devastating for the climate. The pressure on decision-makers to kick lobbyists from Shell, TotalEnergies and co out is growing, and this first-of-its kind public hearing marks a huge step in the campaign for fossil-free politics. The tobacco industry is rightfully kept at arm’s length from health policy, we now need the EU to introduce a firewall to prevent fossil fuel industry influence on climate and energy lawmaking.”

Practical information:

  • European Parliament – room ASP1G3
  • 14 February, 14:30 – 16:00
  • To RSVP, please complete this form

Participants without an entry-badge to the European Parliament are kindly asked to fill in all required information in order to facilitate speedy registration and entry.

Fossil Free Politics is a European-wide coalition of anti-poverty groups, trade unions and climate organisations which campaigns for a firewall between the fossil fuel industry and climate policy. It is coordinated by Corporate Europe Observatory, Food and Water Action Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe and Greenpeace EU.

EU Transparency Register: 461250348032-23

Press contacts:

  • John Hyland, Greenpeace: john.hyland[at]greenpeace.org / +32 471 75 89 85
  • Paul Hallows, Global Witness: phallows[at]globalwitness.org / +32 487 80 31 61