Kiera Jefferson
ExxonMobil, an American oil and gas company, has been criticised for its role in climate change and its impact on the environment. The company has been accused of greenwashing, failing to meet emission reduction targets, and influencing climate change denial. ExxonMobil's refineries in the US have been identified as top polluters, with inadequate spending to cut emissions. The company's messaging and advertising have been scrutinised for their role in shaping public opinion and delaying action on climate change. Despite acknowledging the need to reduce pollution, ExxonMobil has been criticised for its focus on fossil fuels and lack of significant investment in low-carbon energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Exxon Mobil's position on the list of U.S. polluters | Three Exxon refineries topped the list of U.S. polluters in 2021 |
| Exxon Mobil's position on the list of global polluters | One of the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions |
| Exxon Mobil's equity-based greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 | 111 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent |
| Exxon Mobil's Scope 3 emissions in 2019 | 730 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent |
| Exxon Mobil's spending on low-carbon energy sources between 2010 and 2018 | 0.2% of its capital expenditure |
| Exxon Mobil's capital and fossil fuel exploration expenditure plans | $20-25 billion every year through to 2025 |
| Exxon Mobil's spending on "lower emission initiatives" through 2027 | $17 billion |
| Exxon Mobil's spending on "lower-emission technologies" since 2000 | More than $10 billion |
| Exxon Mobil's capital expenditure on "upstream" fossil fuel extraction and production in 2019 | Over $10.4 billion |
| Exxon Mobil's stance on emissions intensity targets and divestment of fossil fuel assets | CEO Darren Woods dismissed these as a "beauty competition" in March 2020 |
| Exxon Mobil's stance on net-zero targets | Does not have an ambition to reach "net zero" |
| Exxon Mobil's stance on the Paris Agreement | Supports the agreement, but most of its operations remain focused on fossil fuels |
| Exxon Mobil's stance on climate change | Has privately downplayed climate change and tried to delay action to cut heat-trapping pollution |
| Exxon Mobil's stance on individual responsibility for climate change | Blames individuals for climate change |
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What You'll Learn
- ExxonMobil's US oil refineries emit high levels of lung-damaging soot
- The company has been accused of greenwashing and climate change denial
- ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery is exempt from federal EPA standards
- The company has spent a minimal percentage of capital on low-carbon energy
- ExxonMobil's fossil fuel extraction conflicts with the International Energy Agency's targets
ExxonMobil's US oil refineries emit high levels of lung-damaging soot
ExxonMobil is an American oil and gas company headquartered in Texas. According to regulatory documents and a Reuters analysis of pollution test results, ExxonMobil's US oil refineries emit far more lung-damaging soot than similarly-sized facilities operated by rivals. The company's three largest refineries, two in Texas and one in Louisiana, are the nation's top three emitters of small particulate matter. Together, they averaged emissions of 80 pounds per hour, eight times the average rate of the seven other refineries on the top-ten list, some of which are larger than Exxon's plants.
The top polluter, Exxon's Baton Rouge refinery, averaged 138 pounds per hour. The high emissions have been attributed to low water pressure in its 1970s-era wet gas scrubber, a claim supported by company correspondence with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The Baton Rouge refinery, over a century old, borders neighbourhoods with high rates of childhood asthma. About a third of the residents in the predominantly Black neighbourhoods near the refinery reported breathing problems.
Small particulate matter is among the most harmful pollutants. Made up of particles 50 times smaller than a grain of sand, it can bond with other toxins, infiltrate the bloodstream, and damage the heart, lungs, and nervous system. A small increase in long-term exposure to small particulate matter also leads to a large increase in COVID-19 death rates, according to a Harvard University study.
ExxonMobil has faced criticism for its lack of commitment to reducing emissions and addressing climate change. In 2020, CEO Darren Woods dismissed oil and gas companies' emissions intensity targets and divestment of fossil fuel assets as a "beauty competition". While the company has since issued targets for reducing emissions, it has not set a company-wide net-zero emissions target consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals. ExxonMobil has also been accused of greenwashing, with its investments in "lower-emission technologies" and "lower-emission energy solutions" not aligning with the goals of limiting global temperature rise.
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The company has been accused of greenwashing and climate change denial
ExxonMobil, an American oil and gas company, has been accused of greenwashing and climate change denial. The company has a long history of shaping the US narrative about climate change, often minimising concerns and denying the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming.
ExxonMobil has been a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, releasing more than 40 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965. Despite this, the company has repeatedly failed to set ambitious targets for reducing its emissions and aligning with international climate agreements. In 2020, CEO Darren Woods dismissed oil and gas companies' emissions intensity targets as a "beauty competition", indicating that ExxonMobil would instead focus on solving climate change for society.
ExxonMobil's short-term targets are not considered sufficient to address its emissions or align with net-zero pathways. The company has also failed to commit to aligning its capital allocation with the Paris Agreement's temperature goals. While ExxonMobil claims to support the Paris Agreement, the majority of its operations remain focused on fossil fuels, with only a small fraction of its capital expenditure allocated to low-carbon energy sources.
The company has also been accused of greenwashing, or presenting itself as more environmentally friendly than it is in reality. In 2021, ExxonMobil unveiled its 'Low Carbon Solutions' division and committed to investing in lower-emission energy solutions. However, this move was seen as a response to activist investor pressure, and critics argue that the company's focus on carbon capture technology is not a feasible solution compared to deep cuts in fossil fuel use.
ExxonMobil has also been criticised for its advertising and public relations campaigns, which have been described as "cutting-edge propaganda" aimed at shifting blame for climate change away from the company and onto individuals. These campaigns have emphasised personal actions to address climate change, such as energy-saving measures, while downplaying the need for reductions in fossil fuel consumption or supply.
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ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery is exempt from federal EPA standards
ExxonMobil, an American oil and gas company, has been criticized for its contribution to environmental pollution. In 2021, three of Exxon's refineries were listed as the top polluters in the United States, with the Baton Rouge refinery in Louisiana being the worst offender. This refinery has been reported to emit far more lung-damaging soot than similarly-sized facilities operated by competitors.
The Baton Rouge refinery's catalytic crackers, built during World War II, are exempt from federal EPA standards due to an EPA rule that exempts units constructed before 1976 that have not been modified. This exemption, along with lenient state pollution regulations in Louisiana, has allowed the refinery to operate with higher pollution levels compared to other refineries. The plant's proximity to predominantly Black neighborhoods has raised concerns about the disproportionate impact of oil-and-gas pollution on minority communities.
The Baton Rouge refinery has a history of non-compliance and safety issues. In 2013, an uncensored EPA inspection report revealed that ExxonMobil had failed to report accidents and inspect thousands of corroded pipes at the refinery. The company was also found to have violated the Clean Air Act and EPA's New Source Performance Standards, resulting in civil penalties and commitments to implement emission control technologies.
ExxonMobil has defended its operations, citing investments in "lower-emission technologies" and initiatives such as the Low Carbon Solutions division. However, critics argue that these efforts are insufficient, pointing to ExxonMobil's continued focus on fossil fuels and lack of commitment to net-zero targets. The company's high emissions have been attributed to inadequate spending on emission reduction measures, and its impact on nearby communities cannot be ignored, with residents reporting breathing problems and high rates of childhood asthma.
ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery, while exempt from certain federal EPA standards, has faced scrutiny and penalties for non-compliance and environmental impact. The company has been pressured to address its pollution and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.
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The company has spent a minimal percentage of capital on low-carbon energy
ExxonMobil, an American oil and gas company, has been criticised for its role in pollution and climate change. The company has been accused of being one of the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, with its refineries pumping out harmful pollutants and particulate matter.
While ExxonMobil has acknowledged the need to reduce pollution and emissions, its efforts have been criticised as inadequate. Between 2010 and 2018, the company spent just 0.2% of its capital expenditure on low-carbon energy sources like wind and solar. This minimal investment in low-carbon energy stands in contrast to the company's significant investment in fossil fuel exploration and production, with plans to maintain $20-25 billion in capital expenditure in this area annually through to 2025. ExxonMobil has also failed to set a company-wide net-zero emissions target consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals, and its short-term targets are not considered ambitious enough by climate benchmarks.
In response to investor pressure, ExxonMobil has made some moves towards reducing emissions and investing in lower-emission technologies. In 2021, the company unveiled a division called 'Low Carbon Solutions' and committed to investing $3 billion in lower-emission energy solutions through 2025. Additionally, ExxonMobil has stated that it has invested over $10 billion in lower-emission technologies since 2000. However, critics argue that the company's focus remains largely on fossil fuels, and its investments in carbon capture technology have been questioned by scientists and environmental activists.
ExxonMobil's approach to addressing climate change has been characterised by a history of denial and delay. The company has been accused of using "`cutting-edge propaganda'" to shape public perception and delay meaningful action. Despite conceding that fossil fuels contribute to climate change, ExxonMobil has minimised the concerns and continued to raise doubts about the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption. The company's messaging has been criticised for disproportionately emphasising individual actions while failing to address the need to reduce the supply of fossil fuels.
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ExxonMobil's fossil fuel extraction conflicts with the International Energy Agency's targets
ExxonMobil is an American oil and gas company that has released over 40 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965, making it one of the world's largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. The company has been criticised for its inadequate spending to cut emissions and its lack of commitment to reducing its massive Scope 3 (downstream) emissions.
In March 2020, ExxonMobil's CEO Darren Woods dismissed oil and gas companies' emissions intensity targets and divestment of fossil fuel assets as a "beauty competition", claiming that these measures would not effectively tackle climate change. Instead, Woods stated that ExxonMobil would focus on solving climate change for society as a whole. However, the company's actions have been characterised as greenwashing, with ExxonMobil failing to set a company-wide net-zero emissions target consistent with the Paris Agreement temperature goals.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation that provides policy recommendations, analysis, and data on the global energy sector. The IEA was established in 1974 in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis to respond to physical disruptions in global oil supplies and promote energy savings and conservation. The IEA has since been criticised for its misleading projections and over-confidence in the face of credible data suggesting a more precautionary approach is needed.
ExxonMobil's fossil fuel extraction conflicts with the IEA's targets for a transition to clean and efficient energy technologies. The IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario aims to achieve specific outcomes, including an emissions trajectory consistent with keeping the temperature rise in 2100 below 1.5 °C. However, ExxonMobil's capital expenditure on fossil fuel extraction and production is not aligned with this target. The company's short-term targets are also considered insufficient by the Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark, which finds that ExxonMobil meets none of its target criteria.
ExxonMobil's actions, including its focus on fossil fuels and lack of commitment to reducing downstream emissions, are at odds with the IEA's goals for a transition to clean and efficient energy. The company's high emissions and inadequate spending on emission reduction measures contribute to its conflict with the IEA's targets and reinforce its reputation as a major polluter.
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Frequently asked questions
Exxon Mobil is one of the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions in the world. It has released more than 40 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965.
Exxon Mobil's equity-based greenhouse gas emissions totaled 111 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023. This was a reduction of 2 million metric tons compared to 2022.
Exxon Mobil's Baton Rouge refinery is the largest polluter, averaging 138 pounds of emissions per hour.
Exxon Mobil has been criticized for its approach to climate change, with accusations of climate change denial and delaying action to cut emissions. The company has also been accused of misleading the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.
Exxon Mobil has committed to reducing the intensity of upstream emissions and has set targets for reducing methane and "flaring" intensity. The company has also invested in lower-emission technologies and established a ""Low Carbon Solutions" division. However, critics argue that these efforts are insufficient and that deeper cuts in fossil fuel use are necessary.
