The Science Museum in London has cut ties with oil giant Equinor, which has sponsored its ‘Wonderlab’ gallery since 2016.
The decision to end the sponsorship deal with the Norwegian state-owned energy company is due to its failure to lower carbon emissions enough to ensure it was aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement goal to prevent global temperatures rising by more than 1.5°C, the Observer reports.
In emails disclosed under Freedom of Information legislation and shared with the Observer, Sir Ian Blatchford, Science Museum director, told Equinor that it was in breach of the museum’s pledge to make sure its sponsors complied with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
In a blog post dated 28 June, Blatchford wrote: “Those with whom we partner must demonstrate that they are moving with sufficient urgency along the transition pathway to match our aspirations.
“Equinor’s sponsorship of the museum has drawn to a close at the end of their current contract term. Their contribution has been enormously important to us and has helped inspire hundreds of thousands of young potential engineers and scientists.
“The partnership concludes with our warm appreciation and with our ongoing encouragement to Equinor to continue to raise the bar in their efforts to put in place emissions reduction targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.”
The Science Museum has also been criticised for its collaboration with companies such as BP and Shell, as well as Adani Green Energy, the renewables division of Adani – an Indian conglomerate with major holdings in coal.
Museum criticised for other sponsors
Chris Garrard, co-director of environmental group Culture Unstained, told the Observer: “This is a seismic shift. After years of mounting pressure, the Science Museum has now adopted red lines on climate change which have led to Equinor being dropped.
He added: “With BP also failing to align its business with Paris Agreement goals and Adani the world’s biggest private producer of coal, the museum must now hold these companies to the same standard and stop promoting their toxic brands.”
Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery includes 50 exhibits, special artworks, live demonstrations and immersive experiences.
Images courtesy of the Science Museum
