Fossil fuel firms spend big on Google ads that look like search results 

An analysis of Google search results for 78 climate-related terms showed that over one in five ads seen in the study – more than 1,600 in total – were paid for by companies with significant interests in fossil fuels. A situation environmentalists suggest is an example of “endemic greenwashing”

An analysis of Google search results for 78 climate-related terms showed that over one in five ads seen in the study – more than 1,600 in total – were paid for by companies with significant interests in fossil fuels. A situation environmentalists suggest is an example of “endemic greenwashing”. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Fossil fuel companies and firms that work closely with them are among the biggest spenders on ads designed to look like Google search results, in what campaigners say is an example of “endemic greenwashing”.

The Guardian analysed ads served on Google search results for 78 climate-related terms, in collaboration with InfluenceMap, a think tank that tracks the lobbying efforts of polluting industries.