The Lie-brary

Evidence shows that Big Oil & Gas knew as early as the 1960s that their products would lead to climate change, and that it could have disastrous impacts worldwide.

This collection of internal company documents has been compiled thanks to the work of journalists, independent researchers, and academics.

If you have documents or other information that will contribute to the story of the fossil fuel industry’s climate deception, please reach out.

Download the full collection here

They Knew

Scientists and executives at fossil fuel companies such as Exxon knew since as early as 1968 that burning fossil fuels would raise global temperatures, which could lead to "catastrophic" consequences.

1965 API - Ikard Speech
1965 API - Ikard Speech Read More
1974 - Chevron Patent
1974 - Chevron Patent Read More
1978 Exxon - Black Memo
1978 Exxon - Black Memo Read More
1979 Exxon - Ferrall Memo
1979 Exxon - Ferrall Memo Read More
1988 Shell - Greenhouse Report
1988 Shell - Greenhouse Report Read More
1989 Shell - New York Times Article
1989 Shell - New York Times Article Read More

They Lied

Voices from inside and outside the industry recognize that addressing climate change could require burning fewer fossil fuels — a threat to industry profits. After deciding that a transition to clean energy would be bad for business, climate polluters such as Exxon deliberately sowed doubt to undermine scientific truths.

1988 Exxon - position memo
1988 Exxon - position memo Read More
1991 ICE - Campaign Materials
1991 ICE - Campaign Materials Read More
1996 API - Reinventing Energy
1996 API - Reinventing Energy Read More
1997 Mobil - Advertorials
1997 Mobil - Advertorials Read More
1998 API -
1998 API - "Victory Memo" Read More
2006 Exxon - Tomorrow's Energy
2006 Exxon - Tomorrow's Energy Read More

They’re Still Lying

As the science became overwhelming and public understanding of climate change grew, companies shifted from denying climate science to portraying themselves as part of the solution.

2016 Exxon - Ad Concepts, Biofuels
2016 Exxon - Ad Concepts, Biofuels Read More
2019 Exxon - Email Discussion, Ad Concepts
2019 Exxon - Email Discussion, Ad Concepts Read More
2019 Exxon - Corporate Strategic Planning Memorandum
2019 Exxon - Corporate Strategic Planning Memorandum Read More
2020 Shell -
2020 Shell - "Let's Talk Energy Transition" Slides & Notes Read More
2021 Chevron -
2021 Chevron - "Just Transition" Talking Points Read More
2021 Chevron - Public Policy Agenda Presentations
2021 Chevron - Public Policy Agenda Presentations Read More