CECR 4: The Oil and Gas Majors
Ongoing activism by communities, social movements, and civil society organizations continues to push for a transition to cleaner energy, highlighting the environmental damage caused by fossil fuel companies to both people and the planet, particularly in oil and gas exploration in South Africa. Despite this, fossil fuel corporations wield powerful lobbying influence over both domestic and international policies.
At COP28, held in the UAE in December 2023, a record number of fossil fuel executives were present. Investigations revealed talks for new oil deals were ongoing during the conference, further undermining global efforts to combat climate change.
In South Africa, oil and gas giants such as Shell, TotalEnergies, and Impact Oil and Gas are aggressively pushing to expand exploration, despite fierce resistance from communities. This report examines how these oil and gas giants continue to profit from environmental destruction, particularly in South Africa, where communities resisting their activities face strong opposition.