Sponsoring of the EGU by oil companies
There is a discussion about sponsoring of the EGU by oil companies, especially Exxon. For most of the climate people, this would be very problematic. There is no financial pressure to do so, and there is a risk to lose independence. Furthermore, the politics of disinformation about climate change of these companies undermine the scientific progress and work we are actually doing (some documents are below). There are more arguments, and the Nobel Peace Price shows that many people recognise the implications of climate change. There may be ways to influence the companies' politics, but it is difficult to trust new ways immediately. Something like that is probably better working on a specific project (like renewable energy), and by clear statements of the companies that they are consistent with EGU's ethical policy. For most of the climate community, the oil companies are a critical point, according to the emails from conveners and co-conveners of the EGU 2008 assembly.

Written communication

Exxon Geosciences Union? Blog, posted by James Annan, 18 October, 2007

Sponsor hunt divides geosciences union, Nature, 1 November, 2007 (pdf)

Polar bear research questioned, New Scientist Environment, 28 October, 2007

The Royal Society, Letter, 4 September, 2006

EGU News 21st December, 2007 

Human rights and ecological war

Links

ExxonMobil (Homepage)

Scientists report on ExxonMobil, Union of Concerned Scientists, 3 January, 2007

ExxonMobil's Disinformation Campaign

After discussion, the EGU set up a draft for EGU SPONSORSHIP PRINCIPLES:

 
EGU SPONSORSHIP PRINCIPLES

“Sponsorship” means payment by a private sector organisation or individual in
return for public association with an EGU activity, project, event, or asset. It
can be in cash or in kind, and includes co-funding of projects. Sponsorship
can help EGU achieve its objectives, and will be actively sought. However it
must be governed by the following principles, which have been endorsed by
EGU Council.

1. The sponsorship agreement must be in writing and where appropriate,
   cleared with the lawyers of EGU and of the sponsor, and should set out
   unambiguously the responsibilities and expectations of each party, and
   the benefits which each will receive. It should also include clauses
   covering its review and termination.
2. Any sponsorship must produce benefit for EGU within its agreed
   strategic objectives.
3. This benefit must outweigh any reputation or business risk for EGU
   through being associated with the sponsor.
4. Sponsorship must always be consistent with EGU’s ethical policy as
   defined by the EGU senior fellow’s committee. This will rule out some
   sources.
5. The arrangement must be wholly transparent, with provision for scrutiny
   by EGU members.
6. EGU will not endorse or give preference to sponsor products. Nor will
   EGU give any competitive advantage to any sponsor.
7. All IPR stemming from the sponsored activity, whether anticipated or not,
   remains the property of EGU, unless there is an explicit agreement to the
   contrary in the original sponsorship document.
8. There should be no exclusivity clause.
9. EGU’s work, and its key messages, should not be influenced or
   contradicted by the sponsor. Any statement by the sponsor about its
   relationship with EGU, or use of EGU logos/brands in sponsor
   advertising or publications showing images relating to EGU activities,
   must be explicitly approved by EGU. This requirement should be spelt
   out in the sponsorship agreement.
10. Sponsorship income for a project or activity should be in addition to core
    funding by EGU. It should normally not exceed 40% of the total funds for
    a project or an activity, unless the agreement specifically prescribes cofunding
    or matched funding.
11. The chair of the funding committee will obtain approval from council
    before approaching potential sponsors. All sponsorships over Euro 100
    will be disclosed in EUG’s Treasurer’s Report to the General Assembly.
    Any offer of sponsorship of over Euro 1,000, or which is novel, or which
    may prove contentious, must be brought to EGU Council after
    consultation with the EGU senior Fellow’s committee.

September 2007

The EGU senior Fellow’s committee
Role of the committee

• To act as a senior advisory to EGU on all ethical matters
• To review sponsorship proposals in excess of 1 000
• To act as a focus for sponsorship and money raising activities in general for the EGU
• Support the EGU in important European and international political matters.