Investigating fossil-fuel industry funded climate research

Abstract

The intersection of fossil fuel industry funding and climate change research is a contentious area, raising significant ethical and practical concerns. Fossil fuel companies have historically played a substantial role in funding research, which has sparked debates about potential biases in climate research due to financial ties. Understanding the extent and impact of this funding is crucial for ensuring unbiased and accurate information that forms the basis of climate policies.

This thesis investigates the terminology and methodology in climate research funded by the fossil fuel industry through a comprehensive scientometric analysis, as compared to general research and a pool of research from universities with ties to fossil fuel industry. The study aims to identify patterns of industry influence on scientific outcomes and the dissemination of climate-related information. Data is collected by extracting research paper abstracts and other relevant information from Scopus database over the period of 2014-2024, divided by subject areas and funding sources, leading to over a 100,000 papers analysed with 80\% relevance score word maps produced in VOSViewer. Thus, employing methodologies such as keyword-based data collection, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and topic modeling, the research identifies significant patterns in studies funded by fossil fuel companies, such as lack of focus on ESG terms, increased focus on carbon capture and hydrogen technologies, and more technical analysis methods. To ensure the robustness of these findings, the study employs validation techniques, including cross-referencing with independent literature and applying advanced statistical methods to control for potential confounding factors via topic modelling. This multifaceted approach enhances the credibility of the results and provides a clearer understanding of the extent and nature of industry-induced biases in climate research.

The analysis spans multiple disciplines, including energy, environmental science, earth and planetary science, and engineering, revealing that industry funded research outcomes are often tied directly to fossil fuel sector sphere of interests, while finding no significant influence patterns in university research. The findings of lack of ESG terms and increased focus on specific climate-mitigation technologies underscore the need for increased ESG interest and diversity in the industry funding of climate research to ensure its integrity and objectivity.

The thesis concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for policy and practice. It emphasizes the need for greater transparency in the disclosure of research funding sources and calls for the implementation of stricter guidelines to mitigate bias in scientific research, or for fossil fuel industry to ensure a larger diversity in the research funding. Additionally, it offers recommendations for future research, highlighting the importance of independent funding to preserve the objectivity and integrity of climate science.

By shedding light on the intersection of industry interests and scientific research, this thesis contributes to the ongoing debate about the ethical implications of industry-funded research. It underscores the critical importance of unbiased, evidence-based decision-making in addressing global climate change and supports the development of policies that ensure the reliability of scientific knowledge.