Oil Expert Scores Top Job as UK Energy and Environment Policy Advisor

In the wake of the appointment of Stephen Heidari-Robinson as key adviser on energy and environment policy, David Cameron has come under colossal criticism from environmentalists across the globe. As a low profile consultant from oilfield services company Schlumberger, the UK has been left scratching its head trying to figure out why Cameron chose Heidari-Robinson for the top job. The appointment comes just months before the Paris UN Global Climate Change Summit that the prime minister will attend in December.

An oily past

While the new addition to number 10 will serve as a lead energy and environment adviser, he joins Cameron and his team from a position at London based consulting division Schlumberger where he advised top oil and gas companies such as BP, Shell and Chevron. He also co-authored a critical paper outlining tax regimes on North Sea oil and gas production. And it’s not just his recent past that’s drenched in oil. Prior to his role at Schlumberger Heidari-Robinson advised state-owned, Middle East oil companies on behalf of multinational consultancy firm McKinsey.

Unsurprisingly, this isn’t the first time Cameron has been criticised for hiring controversial climate change advisers. Tara Singh was Heidari-Robinson’s predecessor, a woman who previously lobbied for British Gas owner and fracking investor Centrica. Prior to Singh’s term the role was filled by Ben Moxham, a former employee of Riverstone. The private equity firm is a backer for British based shale gas company Cuadrilla.

Eco warriors up in arms

For the environmentalists that suspect Cameron is far too enthusiastic when it comes to fast-tracking the UK’s shale gas industry, the appointment is yet another nail in the coffin.

Daisy Sands, Greenpeace UK’s head of energy is furious, maintaining that “Hiring an oil man as an energy and environment adviser in the run-up to a major climate summit is like asking Count Dracula for advice before a conference on veganism. It shows yet again that the government remains enthralled to the oil and gas industries.”

Simon Bullock, senior climate and energy campaigner for Friends of the Earth’s blatantly describes the country’s current climate and energy policy as “a mess.”

Shale is a controversial arena, and not just in the UK. ‘Shale Plays Offer Unprecedented Opportunities’ explores the development of North American shale ventures and the potential for domestic production to fill 70-86% of national demand.