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An investigation reveals that major oil and gas companies, including Woodside Energy and Exxon Mobil, have invested tens of millions into educational partnerships, prompting concerns about corporate influence in classrooms and disruptions to teacher schedules.
Fossil fuel companies spend millions on a range of science programs and teaching resources. A teaching schedule was disrupted and students were invited to "drill for oil" by an industry-backed education program sponsored by major fossil fuel companies.
A recent investigation found oil and gas companies have spent tens of millions of dollars on educational partnerships. It's one example in a broader debate about corporate influence in educational settings, with calls for greater scrutiny of industry-backed material in schools. Alison Holt had never heard of the Energy Club before she was told they would be taking over her science class.
At the time, she was teaching at Busselton Senior High School in Western Australia when she realised the series of incursions would disrupt her teaching schedule.
"I was told probably a day or two before because, you know, you've got to plan ahead very tightly being a science teacher," Ms Holt said. "Without any consultation and any permission from the parents, we had three hours taken out of our very tight curriculum time. in Victoria, also sponsored by several coal companies. One of its teacher resources included a unit on "greening coal", a phrase that critics argue suggests the climate impact of burning coal could be remedied.
"We would say when a company goes building trusted emotional connections with children in institutional environments, we think that can only be described as petro-grooming," Ms Noble said. Supplied: CommsDeclare/SantosComms Declare's investigation found that resources giants including BHP, Chevron, Woodside, Glencore and Shell had disclosed close to $55 million in funding across just six programs and partnerships.
TESEP's website also listed renewable energy and critical minerals companies, and chair Jill Stevens rejected the suggestion the organisation was captured by industry.she said. Industry-sponsored teaching resources Another industry-backed not-for-profit is Australian Earth Science Education , which develops science resources and programs for schools.it stated that 71 per cent of its funding came from the energy sector, and four of nine board members were employed by resources companies.
Supplied: AusEarthEdOne Woodside-sponsored teaching resource carries the company's logo and includes a graphic of a large shoe print over the Earth, labelled "carbon".
"While we often think that greenhouse gas emissions are only from industrial activities, we all contribute to the global carbon footprint," the material reads. Environmental Protection Authority saidChild and adolescent psychiatrist Cybele Dey said focusing on the carbon footprint of young people could downplay the role of governments and companies.
"Also, it is a real intergenerational betrayal to be saying that a child who has much less autonomy, much less power, didn't cause the problem, somehow is responsible for this really major problem. "A Woodside spokesperson said it "encourages our employees to contribute to the community".
"We are proud that many of our people choose to volunteer their time and expertise by serving on boards of charities and not-for-profit organisations in their personal capacity and not as Woodside representatives," the spokesperson said. AusEarthEd CEO Joanne Watkins said the organisation provided "much-needed resources to schools". Training teachers for 'multiplier effect' The Comms Declare report also noted instances whereby organisations funded by resources companies were providing accredited professional development for teachers.
For $55, one TESEP professional development course included two nights' accommodation, a field trip, a $100 fuel allowance and free teaching resources. , a resource industry peak body, said the TESEP program aimed to create "well-informed, enthusiastic teachers", with a "multiplier effect" reaching tens of thousands of students. Eve Mayes is a researcher at Deakin University, studying curriculum, teaching and corporate influence in schools.
She said industry-backed education programs could shape how students learn about climate change and the energy transition.
"There have been long-standing partnerships with education communities with particular fossil fuel companies," she said. "And at times that might be it, but that also might influence … how particular topic areas are taught," Dr Mayes said. Following the release of the Comms Declare investigation, in June 2026 Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May moved a Senate motion to refer the issue to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry.
"While the motion did not receive enough support to establish an inquiry, the historic debate marks an important step towards greater scrutiny of fossil fuel industry involvement in childhood settings," she said in a recent statement. Supplied: CommsDeclare/Santos FoundationFor parents like Phoebe Howe, the concern is not just what the report found, but how much remains hidden from families.
"No-one can tell us as parents exactly how many millions of children are being targeted by these big coal and gas companies, where or how often," she said. "Parents don't have the time to go out and be researching themselves exactly where and how fossil fuel companies … might be trying to influence their kids. "
Fossil Fuel Education Corporate Influence In Schools Energy Club Woodside Energy Exxon Mobil
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