Inside the fossil fuel industry’s push into Australian classrooms

• A Western Australian science teacher raised concerns after her curriculum was disrupted by the Energy Club, an industry-led program that took over classroom time without prior consultation with staff or parents.
• The initiative, formerly known as the Petroleum Club of WA, is sponsored by major oil and gas companies like Woodside and Exxon Mobil to promote “energy literacy” and industry career paths to students.
• While the organization rebranded in 2021 to reflect a more sustainable image, its program continues to offer corporate sponsors a way to strengthen community ties and maximize their impact within the school system.

Alison Holt, a science teacher at Busselton Senior High School in Western Australia, was caught off guard when she learned a corporate program would be taking over her classroom. With only a day’s notice, her tightly planned curriculum was suddenly disrupted to make room for an outside group she had never heard of before.

The intervention by the “Energy Club” claimed three hours of class time—nearly an entire week of science education—conducted without parental consent or prior consultation with Ms. Holt. As a teacher who prides herself on rigorous planning, the lack of communication was as frustrating as the loss of instructional time.

When she questioned her head of department about the program’s content, the response only deepened her concerns. She was told the sessions would focus on mining and the petrochemical industry. “Immediately, my hair went up on the back of my neck,” Ms. Holt recalled, wary of the sudden shift in her students’ education toward corporate interests.

The organization behind the lessons, now known as Energy Club WA, has a history that explains its industry focus. Until 2021, it was known as The Petroleum Club of WA. Despite its rebranding toward a “sustainable future,” the club’s Next Generation Energy Program has been operating since 1991 with significant backing from global oil and gas giants, including Woodside Energy and Exxon Mobil.

The program utilizes industry professionals who volunteer their time to deliver three lessons centered on “energy literacy” and potential career opportunities. However, the club’s promotional materials suggest the program serves a dual purpose. A flyer aimed at corporate partners invites them to “leverage” the initiative to maximize their impact, save on development costs, and strengthen community ties through their established framework.

While the non-profit maintains that its 2021 rebrand was a move to reflect a broader energy landscape, the presence of major fossil fuel sponsors in the classroom continues to raise questions for educators like Ms. Holt regarding the balance between corporate outreach and the integrity of the science curriculum.

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