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The oil and gas bank
A recent report from PLATFORM uncovers the climate impacts of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s identity as “The Oil & Gas Bank” – This feature article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter, Issue 7. The report ‘The Oil & Gas Bank – RBS & the Financing of Climate Change’ investigates RBS-NatWest’s role in fuelling climate change,…
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Western banks threaten Kazakh communities
A recent fact-finding mission by Crude Accountability and CRBM (Campaign for reform of the World Bank) found expansion of Kazakhstan’s Kashagan field by an international consortium promises environmental degradation and economic uncertainty for residents of western Kazakhstan. Elena Gerebizza and Kate Watters investigate – This article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter Issue 6.…
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Poisoning the Amazon
Cancer, birth defects and skin diseases affect 30 000 rainforest residents in Ecuador, Joseph Mutti investigates – This article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter, Issue 6. It’s the smell that hits you first as you approach a pit the size of a football field filled with a choking sludge of oil and dead…
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Energy Security – for whom?
Some commentators saw this summer’s G8 meeting in St. Petersburg as a clash of empires, with Vladimir Putin using the theme of “energy security” to reassert Russia’s global power. What has received less attention is how the concept is intended to bring ever-increasing supplies of energy to all of the G8 countries, potentially at the…
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The Demise of Teflon John
As speculation intensifies about who will lead BP after boss John Browne’s retirement in two years time (see notes from Gog and Magog), with it comes the question of Browne’s legacy in the company – This article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter, Issue 5. Browne’s leadership has been defined by his branding…
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The Fight for Oil in Africa’s Last Colony
Natalie Sharples of War on Want explores oil and independence in Western Sahara – This article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter Issue 5. Over the past decade, Western Sahara’s struggle for independence from Morocco has played out through resource politics. With potential offshore oil and gas reserves, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)…
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Alcatraz on the Gulf
BP exploits migrant workers in the Emirates, by Mafiwasta – This article was first published in Platform’s Carbon Web Newsletter Issue 5. In the United Arab Emirates, unrestrained capitalism operates without the tiresome inconveniences of democratic institutions and media intrusion. Not surprisingly the world’s multinationals have flocked to its shores, lured by low set-up costs, tax-breaks and…
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Weapons of Mass Disruption: Fossil fuels and the Iranian nuclear crisis
Matthew Taylor and Paul Ingram, British American Security Information Council (BASIC) – This feature report was first published in Platform’s carbon web newsletter, issue 4. As the crisis between the international community and Iran escalates, the media continue to focus exclusively on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The nuclear issue is one part of the story. The international…
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The true cost of big bank’s bucks
PLATFORM investigates the role of RBS in financing oil and gas projects around the world – This report was first published in Platform’s carbon web newsletter, issue 4. February saw Britain’s private banks including Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), HSBC and Barclays post record profits. Revenues were boosted by the high oil price and the…
