Oil majors say fossil fuels still needed in US committee hearing
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP executives support Paris Agreement but say fossil fuels will be required for some time
The CEOs of four oil and gas majors admitted that climate change represents an existential threat to the planet in a landmark hearing in the US Committee on Oversight and Reform on Thursday. Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil; Michael Wirth, CEO of Chevron; David Lawler, CEO of BP America; Gretchen Watkins, president of Shell Oil; Mike Sommers, president of trade association the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Suzanne Clark, president and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce were all questioned by the committee on their positions on climate change. All four oil company executives admitted that climate change was real and needed addressing. But they insist that fossil fuels had played a key
Also in this section
28 November 2025
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
18 November 2025
Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dewhurst Award, the highest honour bestowed by WPC Energy. The Dewhurst Award celebrates exceptional leadership, groundbreaking innovation and a lifetime of significant achievements in sup-port of the development and advancement of the energy industry.
11 November 2025
Transition policies must recognise that significant industrial demand for carbon will continue even as economies hit net zero
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined






