ExxonMobil’s position on climate change has led to events agency MotivAction turning down a potentially lucrative offer to work with the oil giant.

Tim Waygood, managing director of Hertfordshire-based agency MotivAction, took the brave decision because of the oil company’s role in attempts to “undermine the scientific consensus on climate change”.

With MotivAction continuing a major project to reduce its own carbon emissions and engage its clients and suppliers to do the same, the refusal came on the grounds that ExxonMobil helps to perpetuate the idea that global warming is a theory rather than a scientific fact.

After an enquiry into running an event for them, Waygood sent an email to ExxonMobil stating his views. “We are very concerned about climate change, both taking action and the communication of the issue, and we are aware of many articles, information and evidence that ExxonMobil is funding climate change deniers,” wrote Waygood. “Given that this is the case, it would not be appropriate for us to work with a company whose ethics are so opposed to ours.”

Waygood is now asking other agencies to follow. “Conference and events agencies can play a big part in creating awareness and engaging businesses in the environmental problem,” he said. “By engaging our clients and suppliers, we can help to create action within all business sectors. We can’t claim to be environmentally friendly and continue to take money from organisations that, according to information in the public domain, help to pervert the communication of climate science, thereby confusing the public and creating an illusion that there is a debate around it.”

Waygood added that he is happy to provide references and information to anyone in the industry interested in making a similar stand.