In September, as the UK government introduced sanctions on trade in illegal Israeli settlements, young people and teachers took action at a Science Museum ‘Star Trek Lates’ event to urge the Museum to end its relationship with the Adani Group, which produces weapons implicated in genocide in Gaza. Adani’s presence in the UK was also hit by protests as it held a meeting for its Annual Conference at the Grosvenor Park Hotel in Mayfair.
64% of Science Museum staff disagree with the SMG’s decision-making on public programmes, sponsorship, and partnerships. A survey by Prospect union shows widespread “ethical concerns with controversial sponsorships impact staff pride, morale and motivation”.
In a significant shift for the culture sector, museums and galleries could soon be urged to ‘transition away’ from sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies, as well as organisations involved in environmental harm and human rights abuses, under proposed new ethics guidelines.
This week, the UK parliament debated a ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship for the first time in what is, hopefully, the first step towards legislation that would limit the industry’s ability to promote its polluting products and spread disinformation. As these voices and perspectives make clear, advertising and sponsorship is also a coordinated strategy to deflect from the polluting and destructive impacts the fossil fuel industry has on communities around the world. Bringing in a ban would stop the likes of BP, Shell and Adani from cynically trying to hide the reality of their business.
Unions and groups representing scientists, teachers, parents and workers in the arts have called for those working in education and culture sectors to join a boycott of the Science Museum to demand an end to the Museum’s ongoing sponsorship arrangements with fossil fuel producers BP and Adani.
New disclosures obtained by Culture Unstained reveal a failure of leadership and lack of meaningful response at the Science Museum regarding their indicted sponsor Adani.
Briefings for Boris Johnson’s meetings with Gautam Adani at Science Museum reveal museum's role in Adani's lobbying - and the scale of their weapons production ambitions
