DeSmog has uncovered that the petrochemical industry hijacked EU-funded journalist training to promote recycling as the only solution needed to solve the plastic crisis.
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What happened?
In May 2025, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) hosted a four-day journalism workshop in Singapore, funded by a €1.5 million EU grant (over three years) and €270,000 from Denmark’s Foreign Ministry. -
Who’s behind it?
ASEF partnered with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW)—a non-profit funded by major oil and petrochemical giants like Shell, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies. -
Agenda—or lack thereof?
Despite its aim to tackle plastic pollution, the workshop focused heavily on recycling and waste management, while noticeably avoiding discussion of reducing plastic production, the root cause of the crisis.
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Industry influence on display:
AEPW played a major role in shaping the program—its representatives spoke and organized parts of the event, and ASEF acknowledged being put in contact with key speakers by the Alliance -
EU oversight—or the lack of it:
The EU was aware of AEPW’s involvement during the funding application, but did not intervene. The European Commission merely noted the Alliance had been included as a supporter. -
Why now matters:
The timing was critical—just before the UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations being held now (from August 5–14, 2025), where industry lobbyists are increasingly dominating discussions and obstructing plans to limit plastic production. -
The big picture:
This case highlights how fossil fuel interests can subtly steer media narratives and public discourse—even during EU-funded training—by steering attention toward less controversial solutions like recycling, while focusing attention away from the tougher but necessary issue: reducing plastic production at its source.