London Science Museum ends long-standing BP sponsorship amid climate pressure
The Science Museum in London has terminated its multi-decade partnership with oil firm BP as the current contract expires.
The London Science Museum has announced the conclusion of its decades-long sponsorship arrangement with BP, letting the contract run its course without renewal. Sir Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, said BP’s contributions had enabled training for more than 11,000 educators and museum staff, reaching over a million children nationwide. Activists have repeatedly accused BP of wielding an "insidious influence" over UK STEM teaching through its museum ties.
This move mirrors a 2024 decision to drop Equinor after the oil firm failed to align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. Culture Unstained’s Chris Garrard hailed the split as a "seismic shift" but warned it is only a partial victory, noting the museum still accepts funding from Adani Green Energy Ltd, part of the coal-heavy Adani Group. BP has been asked for comment on the termination.
Why it matters
The break signals growing scrutiny of fossil-fuel sponsorships in cultural institutions and highlights climate-action pressures on museums.
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