The automobile has not merely taken over the street, it has dissolved the living tissue of the city ... Gas-filled, noisy and hazardous, our streets have become the most inhumane landscape in the world.
- James M. Fitch
Why BP Learned to Love Oil Again
The Great BP Greenwashing Scam: There Never Was an Honest Shift to Sustainability
The oil giant BP never truly wanted to go green. It was all a show, a carefully orchestrated illusion designed to pacify regulators, investors, and climate-conscious consumers.
Now, the mask has slipped, and the company is back to doing what it always intended—doubling down on oil and gas.
Five years ago, BP’s then-CEO Bernard Looney made headlines with his grand declaration that the company would transform into a “force for good in a carbon-neutral world.”
He promised a radical reduction in fossil fuel production—40% less by 2030—and a tenfold increase in green energy investments.
Looney was hailed as a visionary, a leader willing to disrupt the status quo. But it was all smoke and mirrors.
Fast forward to today: BP’s new CEO, Murray Auchincloss, has ripped the green facade to shreds.
This week, he proudly announced a $10 billion increase in oil and gas investments, aiming to boost production to 2.5 million barrels per year.
Meanwhile, the company’s much-hyped renewable energy investments will be slashed by a staggering 70%. The excuse?
BP had been "too optimistic" about the energy transition. Translation: The green gamble didn’t make enough money.
Let’s be clear: BP’s so-called green transition was never about saving the planet. It was a branding exercise, a cynical ploy to gain goodwill while still raking in profits from fossil fuels.
Looney’s exit amid scandal provided the perfect opportunity to abandon the charade. Auchincloss, who served as Looney’s CFO, never truly embraced the green agenda.
Now, he’s free to lead BP back to its true priorities: maximizing shareholder value, whatever the cost to the climate.
And speaking of shareholders, they were never on board with BP’s green ambitions.
The company’s stock performance lagged behind its competitors—Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron—all of which stuck to their fossil fuel guns.
When activist hedge fund Elliott Management bought a 5% stake in BP, the writing was on the wall. Elliott has a brutal reputation for forcing companies to maximize short-term profits, no matter the collateral damage. It was only a matter of time before BP caved.
Auchincloss is now racing to sell off $20 billion in assets by 2027, including parts of BP’s gas stations and infrastructure. Why?
To trim the fat and please Wall Street. He boasts that his goal is to double BP’s market value to $200 billion, restoring it to pre-Deepwater Horizon disaster levels.
In other words, BP wants to make investors forget about its catastrophic oil spill, just as it hopes to make the world forget about its empty green promises.
Despite all this, the market reaction has been lukewarm. BP’s stock barely budged after the announcement, and even Elliott Management isn’t entirely satisfied.
Bloomberg reports that the hedge fund is still pushing for further cuts and possibly even leadership changes.
No one at BP actually cares about sustainability—the only debate is over how much oil and gas they can extract before the world catches up to them.
BP’s about-face is a stark reminder that Big Oil never had any intention of leading the fight against climate change.
Their commitments were never real, only convenient. As long as fossil fuels remain profitable, these companies will continue extracting, polluting, and greenwashing their image to keep regulators and the public at bay.
The transition to clean energy won’t come from BP or any of its competitors—it will have to be forced upon them.
If BP ever had a moral compass, it just drilled right through it.
How to Boycott BP and Its Enablers
BP thrives because consumers, investors, and governments continue to fuel its business. If you want to hit BP where it hurts, here’s how:
1. Stop Buying BP Fuel
BP owns multiple gas station brands beyond the ones with its logo. Avoid purchasing fuel from:
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BP-branded gas stations
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Aral (Europe, especially Germany)
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Amoco (U.S.)
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Castrol (BP’s lubricants brand used in many service centers and auto shops)
Instead, fill up at companies investing in renewables or better yet, reduce reliance on gasoline altogether by walking, biking, or using public transport.
2. Ditch BP-Linked Banks and Investment Funds
Many financial institutions fund BP’s fossil fuel operations. Investigate your bank and retirement fund:
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Big offenders include JPMorgan Chase, Citi, and HSBC, which continue to finance BP and other oil giants. Consider switching to banks or funds with strong ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) policies.
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Check your mutual funds and retirement plans—many include BP stocks. Opt for fossil-free funds like Green Century, Trillium, or Pax World.
3. Pressure Retailers to Cut Ties
BP supplies fuel and lubricants to many industries, from airlines to shipping companies. Voice your opposition to corporations that rely on BP’s products, including airlines, delivery services, and auto manufacturers. Ask companies where their energy and fuel come from—and demand better alternatives.
4. Stop Using Castrol Motor Oil
BP owns Castrol, one of the largest motor oil brands worldwide. Opt for non-BP lubricants, such as:
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Royal Purple
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Valvoline
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Mobil 1 (owned by ExxonMobil but investing in some renewable tech)
5. Support Renewable Energy & Clean Tech
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Switch to renewable electricity providers in deregulated markets.
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Use public transit, carpool, or electric vehicles to reduce fossil fuel demand.
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Invest in solar panels or community energy programs rather than supporting BP’s fake greenwashing schemes.
6. Make Noise—Call for Divestment & Regulations
BP only backpedaled on its green promises because investors weren’t convinced they were profitable. That means pressure matters.
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Sign petitions demanding that institutions divest from BP.
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Call on policymakers to hold BP accountable and accelerate clean energy policies.
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Expose BP’s greenwashing—call out their hypocrisy on social media, in discussions, and through activist campaigns.
7. Hold BP Accountable for Its Past Crimes
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BP still owes environmental debt from Deepwater Horizon, one of the worst oil spills in history. Support organizations like the Gulf Restoration Network and others fighting for justice.
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Support investigative journalism and climate watchdogs exposing BP’s ongoing environmental destruction.
Final Thought: Hit Them Where It Hurts
BP doesn’t care about press releases or moral arguments—it cares about money and public pressure.
The more people who cut off their financial support, the faster BP will be forced to change—or collapse under its own greed.
Sincerely,
Adaptation-Guide
