London, November 19 (WNM) - The National Galleries Scotland (NGS) has become the latest arts organisation to end sponsorship projects with multinational oil and gas company BP, citing its “responsibility to do all we can to address the climate emergency” (https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/announcement-bp-portrait-award-2019):

At the National Galleries of Scotland we recognise that we have a responsibility to do all we can to address the climate emergency. For many people, the association of this competition with BP is seen as being at odds with that aim.

Therefore, after due consideration, the Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland have decided that this will be the last time that the galleries will host this exhibition in its present form.

The exhibition has been extremely popular with new and existing visitors over the years. We are grateful to the National Portrait Gallery in London and to BP for the opportunity that the competition and exhibition has provided to inspire young talent and to promote portrait artists from around the world.

BP has been one of the most significant corporate investors in UK arts and culture with a history that extends over five decades (https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/who-we-are/sponsorship/uk-arts-and-culture.html).

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) announced in October to end its sponsorship partnership with BP by 31 December 2019 over climate concerns. Four years ago, Tate and the Edinburgh international festival ended long-running sponsorship partnerships with the company.

BP is to consider ending its funding of leading cultural institutions, including the Royal Opera House and the National Portrait Gallery. In October, BP expressed disappointment at the RSC decision, criticising an increasing polarisation of debate, and “attempts to exclude companies committed to making real progress” (https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-statement-in-response-to-rsc-ending-our-partnership-early.html):

We’re disappointed that this will bring a successful programme to a premature end. Over the past eight years our sponsorship has enabled 80,000 young people to see RSC performances at reduced rates. Our support for the arts more broadly in the UK has provided access to world-class events to millions of people over more than 50 years. This is all part of our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work. 

We’re dismayed because we share many of the concerns that apparently contributed to the decision. We recognize the world is on an unsustainable path and needs to transition rapidly to net-zero in the coming decades. The debate centres around how to deliver this whilst meeting the world’s growing energy demands. BP is focused on this dual challenge; we are in action, have ambitious plans for the future and welcome engagement with all about how to make the energy we produce cleaner and better.

Ironically, the increasing polarisation of debate, and attempts to exclude companies committed to making real progress, is exactly what is not needed. This global challenge needs everyone – companies, governments and individuals – to work together to achieve a low carbon future.