Issue 9, 5 December 1997

It's make-your-mind-up time

Esso should take responsibility for protecting the climate - yes or no?

Today is your chance to vote on whether you think Esso should take responsibility for protecting the climate. During the course of Essowatch, we have shown you what impacts climate change is predicted to have on health, the environment and economies. We have illustrated the strength of support for taking action to stop climate change, and the opposition to Esso's stance. Now it is time for you to decide where you stand and to give us your opinion on Esso's position on climate change. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the main cause of human-induced climate change. Continuing with business as usual means more climate change. Esso cannot ignore the fact that it plays a major part in this problem.

"The fact is of course they (Esso) are very stupid about this because they would stand to benefit if they moved rapidly to help the world. They would then be able to be the kind of company that could produce the alternatives to the burning of fossil fuels."
John Gummer, 'Today' Radio 4, 1st December.

Esso's competitors acknowledge the seriousness of climate change and endorse taking action:

"The time to consider the policy dimensions of climate change is not when the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is conclusively proven … but when the possibility cannot be discounted and is taken seriously by the society of which we are part".
John Browne, Group Chief Executive BP, 19th May 1997

"...it is clear that pumping six billion tons of man-made carbon emissions into the atmosphere each year is, at a minimum, a risky experiment.. . Under these circumstances prudent precautionary actions are warranted." Chris Fay, Shell UK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, November 1997, speech to CBI conference.

"There is hard data that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is therefore clearly the right long term goal that we should be working towards." George Watkins, Chairman and Managing Director, Conoco UK Ltd.

"Another matter of considerable importance is worldwide harmonisation of the carbon dioxide reduction targets which are to be negotiated at the forthcoming Kyoto conference... As an important EU industrial enterprise we support the common aim proposed by the EU for a reduction in greenhouse gases and binding, worldwide regulations to protect the climate" Austrian oil company OMV, 12th September 1997.

When will Esso face up to its responsibility? We want to hear what you think. Please vote!

Esso could become part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem. Rather than lagging behind, continuing with the same outdated arguments against taking action, Esso should move forward to a renewable energy future, as its competitors are beginning to:

"We have a 50/50 vision, that by 2050 50% of the world's energy will be supplied by renewables... The cost of photovoltaic power supply will continue to drop with greater installation and manufacturing experience, becoming competitive with conventional power supply by about 2020." Heinz Rothermund, Managing Director, Shell.

"our conclusion is that one source (of alternative energy) which is likely to make a significant contribution is solar power...With appropriate public support and investment I'm convinced that we can make solar competitive in supplying peak electricity within the next 10 years." John Browne, Group Chief Executive BP, 19th May 1997

Don't let Esso wreck the climate. Register your protest: ring or write to Keith Taylor at Esso in Victoria Street (tel: 0171 834 6677) or fax him on 0171 245 2803

If you have any information that would help us with our campaign, or want to make any comments, please call our 24 hour 'exxchange' number 0171 865 8222 or email exxoff@uk.greenpeace.org
Or fax us in confidence on: 0171 865 8200.

Essowatch News In Brief Yesterday the Prime Minister, his Deputy and four other members of the Cabinet held a 'Green Summit' at Downing Street with some of the nation's top business people to talk about climate change. As Mr Blair pointed out: "Climate change affects us all. If we are to tackle it, everyone must work together." Where are Esso on this? An international group representing more than 70 leading insurers on Monday released a position statement on climate change calling on world leaders to agree early reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. On 2nd December 200 top level Japanese and foreign executives representing insurance and other financial institutions held a seminar at the Climate talks in Kyoto. One of the keynote speakers is reported as saying: "The sharp increase in claims related to environmental disasters and extreme weather events has shown that there is a need for the industry to find manageable answers to problems ranging from local environmental pollution to global climate change. As a major investor, the industry has responsibility for managing long-term savings prudently." Researchers at University College London have just unveiled a study which suggests that sea level changes caused by global warming could trigger the eruption of new and dormant volcanoes. The study suggests that millions of people will be affected, not just as a result of the volcanoes themselves, but by respiratory illnesses resulting from a decline in air quality as tonnes of ash are thrown up into the sky. A group of activists from 10 countries; The Ad Hoc Non Group on Voluntary Action Against Corporate Welfare yesterday blockaded an Esso petrol station in Kyoto, demanding that Exxon stop its obstructive behaviour towards the climate negotiations. Yesterday's BBC Breakfast News covered Essowatch, as did the 'Today' programme on Radio 4. Esso was unwilling to comment on either occasion. Friends of the Earth has, at the climate talks in Kyoto, set up a ballot box for voting on the top of the 'Dirty Dozen', with voters asked to choose their least favourite company. Exxon is one of those nominated.

Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London N1 2PN
Membership hotline 0800 269065