Shell-branded school materials are shaping how Queensland children as young as 10 are learning about climate change, according to a new report from Comms Declare.
The investigation shows that Queensland Museum has accepted more than $10.25 million from Shell’s QGC gas business since 2015, giving the company potential influence over curriculum-aligned programs and widespread exposure in education materials used by school children.
Despite the Museum’s repeated claims of its “full independence”, the report finds systematic omissions and distortions in Shell-branded educational resources delivered under the Museum’s authority. The materials:
- Leave out fossil fuels as the primary cause of global warming and ocean acidification
- Promote Shell QGC as a “future-facing” company through prominent branding
- Present fossil fuel careers as part of the climate solution, and
- Shift responsibility for pollution from industry to individuals.
Impact on Queensland children
The report warns that misleading science education is reaching classrooms across the state, influencing how children understand climate change, responsibility, and the industries driving the crisis.
Belinda Noble, Founder of Comms Declare, said the findings raise urgent concerns for Queensland families:
Queensland parents should be extremely concerned that their children are being taught biased, half-truths about climate change and the energy future.
This is climate obstruction dressed up as education. We wouldn’t let Big Tobacco sponsor teaching materials – fossil fuel companies shouldn’t shape how kids learn about the climate.
Government accountability
With Queensland Parliament entering its final sitting week for 2025, Comms Declare is calling on Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek to disclose Shell’s contractual influence in taxpayer-funded institutions and address the extent of misleading science materials being supplied to Queensland teachers and students.
Climate Councillor Professor Lesley Hughes says
As a climate change scientist I’m appalled that a fossil fuel company is involved in science education for our young people, who will be the ones to suffer the most from their climate-wrecking activities.
Nic Seaton, CEO of Parents for Climate, says
Queensland’s cultural and science institutions play a vital role in shaping children’s understanding of climate change. When educational resources, funded by a major fossil fuel company, leave out the causes of global warming or promote industry talking points, it does a disservice to students and the community. Our children deserve climate education that is independent, evidence-based, and free from the influence of companies whose activities are driving the crisis.
Ms Charlie Cox, Queensland Conservation Council campaigner says
I think most Queensland families would be alarmed to see how heavy-handed and misleading Shell’s influence has been on our state museum for a decade. These fossil-fuel-funded materials leave our kids without the scientific foundations they need to navigate the world they’re inheriting. Science should inform politics, not the other way around. We are calling on the Queensland Museum to remember they are accountable to Queenslanders, not fossil fuel corporations, and it must cut ties with Shell.
Dr Eve Mayes, Senior Research Fellow (Pedagogy and Education) at Deakin University, says
We are living in times when young people urgently need accurate, age-appropriate resources to make sense of climate change and to imagine and work towards just energy transitions. Yet it’s troubling that the learning experiences offered in cultural institutions are being compromised by vested interests.
Ellie McLachlan, Media Manager, 0407 753 830