Science Museum ends BP partnership after years of pressure
The museum's academy announced the decision on Friday, citing the end of a contract term.
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The central claim is attributed to the museum director and a campaign group, with a specific date mentioned for a previous decision.
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The headline uses strong language like 'seismic shift' but the article provides a balanced account of the decision.
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The London Science Museum has concluded its decades-long partnership with the oil and gas company BP. The Science Museum Group academy announced the end of the collaboration on Friday. Sir Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, stated that the partnership had concluded at the end of its current contract term.
Impact of the partnership
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Sir Ian Blatchford noted that BP's contributions had supported science engagement training for over 11,000 education, museum, and science professionals. This support aimed to inspire curiosity and engage more than 1 million young people across the country. The academy provides training and resources nationally and internationally to teachers, museum practitioners, and those in the Stem industry.
Campaigner reaction and context
Campaigners have described the decision as a 'seismic shift' after years of sustained pressure. Chris Garrard of the campaign group Culture Unstained highlighted that the move followed pressure from educators and schools, some of whom had previously pledged to boycott the museum over its BP association. Garrard stated that the museum had 'finally come to its senses' and followed other cultural institutions in severing ties with BP.
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The relationship between BP and the Science Museum had faced scrutiny, with accusations from campaigners of an 'insidious influence' on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) education in the UK. In 2024, the museum ended its partnership with the oil company Equinor, citing concerns over its failure to adequately lower carbon emissions in line with the Paris climate agreement's goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C.
However, Garrard indicated that the decision represented a 'partial victory', as the museum continues to accept funding from Adani Green Energy Ltd. This company is a subsidiary of the Adani Group, a major global conglomerate involved in coal mining and energy.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the Science Museum ended its partnership with BP?
The Science Museum Group academy announced the end of its partnership with BP on Friday. Sir Ian Blatchford, director of the Science Museum Group, stated that the partnership concluded at the end of its current contract term. This decision follows years of campaigning and pressure from various groups.
+What was the impact of BP's partnership with the Science Museum?
According to Sir Ian Blatchford, BP's contributions helped inspire over 11,000 education, museum, and science professionals through engagement training. This support aimed to spark curiosity and bring science to life for over 1 million young people across the country.
+Has the Science Museum ended all partnerships with fossil fuel companies?
No, the museum has not ended all such partnerships. While it has ended its relationship with BP and previously with Equinor in 2024, it still accepts funding from Adani Green Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of a large coal mining and energy conglomerate.
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