States whose political or economic power depends on fossil fuels. These actors often use diplomatic, financial, or media channels to delay global climate policy and strategically construct narratives that protect their interests.

Libertarian or conservative think-tanks and interest groups seek to block climate policy for ideological reasons, such as the protection of unrestricted property rights, national sovereignty, or individual freedom. They attempt to portray climate protection as a threat to freedom, prosperity, or the Western way of life. Due to overlapping interests, they often receive funding from the fossil fuel industry.

Examples: American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute.

Schematic structure of climate obstruction networks from a primer by the Climate Social Science Network at Brown University

Narratives claiming that climate change is a hoax or part of a globalist agenda aimed at controlling the population. These theories often merge with broader anti-elite and anti-science sentiments, as well as authoritarian tendencies and anxieties that amplify distrust in institutions.

These are organizations that present themselves as independent think tanks or grassroots initiatives but are funded or coordinated by fossil fuel corporations. Their goal is to obscure the link between emissions from burning fossil fuels and climate change, to prevent regulation, and to create the illusion of scientific uncertainty.

The fossil fuel industry can promote its economic interests relatively openly, for example through lobbying and efforts to influence specific legislation. Industrial sectors form various coalitions and networks around shared interests. The primary purpose of these groupings is to align strategies and share know-how. This section focuses mainly on this form of open “corporate activism”. A special case is the hidden corporate support of civic associations.

Examples: Global Climate Coalition, Energy Citizens