Responding to the findings, Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “It’s galling that fossil fuel companies raking in huge profits appear to enjoy privileged access to the Scottish Government, despite driving deadly climate destruction. Scottish Ministers must ensure the only item on the agenda at any future meetings is how to speed up a fair fossil fuel phase out.
“Disturbingly, this trend isn’t unique to Scotland: powerful interests are polluting politics and policies the world over to stall or stop climate action so they can keep cashing in.
“The voices of those facing floods, fires and food shortages, like the climate-hit communities the First Minister recently met in Malawi, must carry much more weight than those profiting from pollution.
“Scottish Ministers must resist the whispers of vested interests and take a principled stance against new oil and gas exploration or development in the North Sea – putting the priorities of workers and affected communities, not polluters, at the heart of their decisions.”
