Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2026
Sheffield says Exxon launched 'smear campaign' to keep him off company's board
Issue disclosure
In September 2026, Sheffield publicly alleged that Exxon launched a 'smear campaign' to keep him off the company's board. The supplied source reports this as an allegation made by Sheffield and does not state that any determination, finding, or adjudication was made regarding it. It also does not report any response from Exxon to the claim. This controversy note therefore records only Sheffield's public allegation and the absence of a reported company response or resolution in the provided material.
Source excerpt
Sheffield says Exxon launched 'smear campaign' to keep him off company's board (XOM:NYSE)
2021
Exxon discloses value-chain emissions
Issue disclosure
Exxon released an Energy and Carbon Summary that publicly reported its Scope 3 value-chain emissions for the first time. The article notes that Exxon had faced criticism for not doing enough to reduce emissions.
Source excerpt
Exxon has repeatedly come under fire for not doing enough to reduce emissions even though, like all of its peers, the supermajor has announced lofty emission goals.
Under pressure from investors, Exxon has released an Energy and Carbon Summary that for the first time in the company’s history, makes public the amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced across its value chain—so-called Scope 3 emissions.
2021
Follow This files climate-target resolution at ExxonMobil
Public backlash
Follow This filed a shareholder resolution urging Exxon to set more ambitious decarbonisation targets and properly consider climate science. The resolution is scheduled for a vote at Exxon’s 2022 annual general meeting.
Stated objective. Urge Exxon to set more ambitious decarbonisation targets and properly consider climate science.
Source excerpt
This will be put to a vote at the firm’s 2022 annual general meeting.
Activist investor organisation Follow This has now filed a shareholder resolution urging Exxon to set more ambitious decarbonisation targets and to properly consider climate science.
2020
Exxon discloses additional chemical release at Baton Rouge facility
Issue disclosure
Exxon disclosed in a state filing that sulfuric acid was released above allowable amounts during the Feb. 11 fire at its north Baton Rouge facility. The filing also said previously reported benzene and butadiene amounts were lower than initially estimated but remained above allowable amounts.
Source excerpt
The updated “7-day report” disclosed that sulfuric acid was also released at levels above allowable amounts.
In new filings with the state, Exxon disclosed Tuesday, Feb. 18 that an additional chemical, sulfuric acid, was involved in the recent large fire at its facility in north Baton Rouge on Feb. 11.
However, those two chemicals still were higher than the allowable amount.
2020
Beyond Pesticides sues Exxon over alleged deceptive marketing
Lawsuit filed
Beyond Pesticides filed a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corporation, alleging that the company misrepresented its investments in clean energy and environmentally beneficial technology. The claims are allegations contained in the complaint and do not constitute a court determination. The event was reported on May 15, 2020.
Beyond Pesticides sued Exxon Mobil Corporation, alleging that it misrepresented its investments in clean energy and environmentally beneficial technology. These are allegations in the complaint, not a court determination.
Source excerpt
Beyond Pesticides sued Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) on Friday for "false and deceptive marketing," misrepresenting to consumers that it "has invested significantly in the production and use of 'clean' energy and environmentally beneficial technology."
The latest suit, filed May 15 in the D.C. Superior Court, claims the oil major is misleading consumers with “false and deceptive” advertising about its investments in “clean” fuels and technology.
Beyond Pesticides alleges that Exxon’s deceptive marketing and advertising violates the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act.
2020
Minnesota sues Exxon, API and Koch Industries over climate change claims
Lawsuit filed
Minnesota's attorney general filed a lawsuit against Exxon, the American Petroleum Institute and Koch Industries, alleging that they deceived the public about climate change and bringing claims including fraud, deceptive trade practices and false advertising. Exxon and API disputed the allegations in statements.
Minnesota’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against Exxon, the American Petroleum Institute and Koch Industries, alleging that they deceived the public about climate change and bringing claims including fraud, deceptive trade practices and false advertising. Exxon and API disputed the allegations in statements.
Company response
Denial — Exxon
“Legal proceedings like this waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money and do nothing to advance meaningful actions that reduce the risks of climate change,” Exxon said in a statement, quoted by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Denial — American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute said that the oil and gas industry has over the past two decades provided “affordable, reliable American energy to U.S. consumers while substantially reducing emissions and our environmental footprint. Any suggestion to the contrary is false.”
Source excerpt
The Attorney General of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against Exxon, the American Petroleum Institute, and Koch Industries, alleging they spent decades deceiving the public about climate change.
“The fraud, deceptive advertising, and other violations of Minnesota state law and common law that the lawsuit shows they perpetrated have harmed Minnesotans’ health and our state’s environment, infrastructure, and economy,” Ellison said, as quoted by Reuters.
The charges, brought against the companies and API by AG Keith Ellison, include fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false statements in advertising, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
2020
Delaware sues fossil fuel companies over climate claims
Lawsuit filed
Delaware's attorney general filed a lawsuit against 31 fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, Chevron and BP. The suit accused the companies of deceiving the public about their products' role in climate change and of damaging the state's environment. The action was reported as a state-level legal challenge concerning climate-related claims by fossil fuel companies.
Delaware’s attorney general sued 31 fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, Chevron and BP, accusing them of deceiving the public about their products’ role in climate change and damaging the state’s environment.
Source excerpt
The Delaware attorney general on Tuesday sued 31 fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, Chevron and BP, accusing them of deceiving the public about the role their products play in causing climate change and damaging the state's environment.