# Consensus and dissent between climate activists and oil and gas employees in the United Kingdom

## TL;DR

This study compares UK climate activists and oil and gas employees' views on the energy transition, finding areas of agreement and disagreement.

## Contribution

It uniquely juxtaposes perspectives from both groups using conflict-resolution tools to identify common ground.

## Key findings

- Activists and O&G employees agree on climate urgency and need for reduced energy demand.
- Disagreements center on the pace of change and the role of the O&G industry in the transition.
- Misperceptions about activist demands contribute to polarized narratives.

## Abstract

With global temperatures breaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the energy system must undergo rapid, radical transformation to avoid irreversible ecosystem damage. This complex challenge is exacerbated by polarized views between activists advocating for a rapid end to fossil fuels and oil and gas (O&G) companies profiting from their continued use. This study examines these contrasting perspectives through ten semi-structured interviews with members of two prominent climate activist groups and employees of two international oil companies. This initial exploration identifies that activists and O&G employees agreed on the urgency of climate change, the need to reduce energy demand, the central role of government and policy, and the continued use of existing O&G projects. However, they disagreed on the scale and pace of change achievable, and the role of the O&G industry within the energy transition. The identified agreement areas suggest common ground between these groups, offering potential routes to reducing polarization.

•Rare juxtaposition of UK climate activist and oil & gas employee perspectives•Common misperceptions of activist demands sustain polarized climate narratives•Conflict-resolution tools are applied to interpret contrasting views•An initial exploration, which calls for larger, cross-country replication

Rare juxtaposition of UK climate activist and oil & gas employee perspectives

Common misperceptions of activist demands sustain polarized climate narratives

Conflict-resolution tools are applied to interpret contrasting views

An initial exploration, which calls for larger, cross-country replication

Earth sciences; Climatology; Social sciences; Research methodology social sciences