Irresponsible Science?

The case study examines the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), finding that while it provides more investment detail than some peers, it lacks an environmental or ethical investment policy. Analysis of available data shows approximately 9% of identified investments are in the fossil fuel sector, including holdings in Royal Dutch Shell plc and Rio Tinto plc. The report notes a lack of transparency regarding corporate membership and suggests that gaps in investment data may hide further links to the arms and fossil fuel industries.

• The IOM3 lacks both an environmental policy and an ethical investment policy, which the authors describe as a "serious concern" given the environmental impact of the mining industry.
• Of the approximately 44% of IOM3 investments for which data was obtainable, about 9% were invested in the fossil fuel sector.
• Specific fossil fuel industry holdings identified within the BlackRock Charishare fund include Royal Dutch Shell plc (5.2%) and Rio Tinto plc (4.2%).
• The IOM3's school education programmes have limited fossil fuel industry involvement, with one organisation (approximately 4%) identified as part of that sector, specifically Tata Steel.
• Regarding event sponsorship, 5% of sponsors (one out of 22) were identified as part of the arms industry, specifically Rolls-Royce, while none were from the fossil fuel industry.
• The IOM3 is rated as having 'Medium' involvement with fossil fuel corporations and 'Low' involvement with arms corporations, though the authors suggest actual links could be higher due to data gaps.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (n.d.). Irresponsible Science? https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/9-Institute_of_Materials_Minerals_and_Mining.pdf

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. Irresponsible Science? n.d. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/9-Institute_of_Materials_Minerals_and_Mining.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=Irresponsible Science? |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/9-Institute_of_Materials_Minerals_and_Mining.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scientistsforglobalresponsibilityndirresponsible, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{Irresponsible Science?}}, institution = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-10/9-Institute_of_Materials_Minerals_and_Mining.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }