Major Polluters Fund Exclusive Champagne Reception for Senior Scottish Greens

Some of the world’s largest emitters of CO2 sponsored an exclusive champagne reception for senior members of the Scottish Greens at their party conference, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest.

Among the sponsors were an oil giant and a firm accused of funding environmentally harmful projects. This event, held in October 2023, was an “invitation-only opportunity to talk to MSPs, councillors, and observers” and was sponsored by Solar Energy Scotland, an advocacy group for solar power.

On the same day, then Minister Lorna Slater announced a new government policy aimed at boosting solar energy across the country. A joint statement was released by her party and Solar Energy Scotland on this initiative. Notably, the drinks event does not appear in the lobbying register nor in records of ministerial meetings.

Green party members have expressed their discontent and are calling for transparency. Ellie Gomersall, former co-chair of the Scottish Greens, said, “As co-chair at the time, I was not aware of the reception in 2023 nor was I invited. Advertising exclusive opportunities to talk to ministers in exchange for money is deeply uncomfortable.”

Ellie emphasised that the party must maintain its commitment to radical democracy and transparency. Among the members of Solar Energy Scotland are notable companies like BP’s solar arm ‘Lighthouse BP,’ EDF Energy’s renewables branch, Tata Steel, and German utility firm RWE, which operates coal plants and was found to be one of the largest CO2 emitters in Europe in 2020. Blackrock, an investment firm criticised for funding climate-damaging companies, is also a member.

Concerns have been raised about the Scottish Greens’ practices, especially given the party’s policy of offering access to their MSPs and ministers for cash. This issue prompted calls for an investigation into potential breaches of the ministerial code.

A senior source who attended the event described it as exclusive: “It wasn’t an open event. Only the senior people in the party were invited. Lorna and Patrick were there along with their senior staff and MSPs. If I had known it was being paid for by these companies, I would have objected and wouldn’t have attended.”

Niall Christie, who stood for the Greens in Glasgow South at the General Election, echoed these concerns, “The Scottish Greens are a party of radical democracy. That should mean democracy isn’t for sale. If we’ve accepted sponsorship from major polluters, we need to scrutinise our practices.”

The event’s organisation and sponsorship have caused further controversy. George Baxter, vice chairman of Solar Energy Scotland, defended their actions: “Before the announcement of our 4-6GW deployment ambition for solar power, we had already communicated with all Holyrood political parties, including the Greens. I was the only representative of Solar Energy Scotland at the event.”

He clarified that his communications complied with the lobbying regulations, “I always register relevant communications covered by the Lobbying Act. This would not include a social event of this type. I did not participate in policy discussions beyond welcoming the announcement made earlier that day.”

The Scottish Greens have yet to respond to questions about their knowledge of Solar Energy Scotland’s members before allowing the sponsorship. A spokesperson stated there was “no discussion” of government business at the reception, which was “sponsored by Solar Energy Scotland and nobody else.” They added that the party has supported solar energy consistently and that informal exhibitor receptions have been a regular feature of their conferences.

The party stressed that any ministerial discussions at their conference were recorded through their private offices.

Inquiries for comments from senior MSPs Patrick Harvie, Lorna Slater, and Ross Greer went unanswered.