About Us
What is 'Unravelling the Carbon Web'?
'Unravelling the Carbon Web' is a project within PLATFORM's long term initiative, 90% CRUDE. Like all PLATFORM's work it is driven by a commitment to social and ecological justice, and is carried out in an interdisciplinary manner, combining the skills of research and analysis, creative writing and performance, listening and dialogue. For more information about the wide range of other work by PLATFORM please visit the PLATFORM website.
The project works to reduce the environmental and social impacts of oil corporations, to help citizens gain a say in decisions that affect them, and to support the transition to a more sustainable energy economy.
Its aim is that those affected by oil and gas corporations' operations, and civil society as a whole, is democratically empowered to influence, and ultimately transform, those corporations.
Its approach centres on the 'Carbon Web', the complex network of institutions that make up the oil and gas industry, and the role each institution may play in activities that adversely effect people and the environment.
The 'Unravelling the Carbon Web'project began in March 2000, although its roots lie in the Crude Operators conference - a gathering to understand and challenge the oil industry - organised by PLATFORM and Corporate Watch in May 1997.
Our work
COUNTRY FOCUS
Unravelling the Carbon Web focuses on four main regions:
The Caucasus: monitoring BP's Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, holding financial institutions to account for their role in the project, helping to protect the rights of affected communities.
Iraq: exposing the secret plans to open Iraq's oil reserves to multinationals, for the first time in over 30 years.
Russia: pressuring commercial banks not to finance Shell's devastating Sakhalin II project in Russia's Far East.
Nigeria: research and public awareness on this landmark case of corporate irresponsibility, and how little has changed since writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni colleagues were executed for their efforts to reform Shell's operations.
See also: PLATFORM's Remember Saro-Wiwa project
REFORMING PUBLIC POLICY
The project also works to reform public institutions and government policy:
Development aid: pressing for and end to the use of development aid to subsidise oil development, arguing that aid should be spent on helping the world's poorest people, not its richest corporations.
Science policy/universities: calling for universities to focus on the solution to climate change, not the problem - and end the skewing of research and teaching priorities in favour of the oil industry.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
The project aims to educate the public and decision-makers on issues concerning oil corporations, the environment and social justice:
Publications: Briefings, reports, article in magazines, journals and newspapers, on all aspects of social and environmental justice in relation to the oil and gas industry.
Seminar/performance events: Unique day-long events, examining the nature of the Carbon Web, its environmental and social impacts, and questions of responsibility - for interdisciplinary audiences drawn from civil society, academia, business and government.
Contact us
Unravelling the Carbon Web
PLATFORM
7 Horselydown Lane
London SE1 2LN
UK
Tel 00 44 (0)20 7403 3738
Fax 00 44 (0)20 7403 5896