The disclosure comes after the former prime minister caused a political storm last week after calling for a reset of net-zero policies, claiming that limiting fossil fuels is “doomed to fail” .
A TBI spokesman denied Blair’s criticism of net-zero policies was in any way linked to his work with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Blair’s institute has been working with the Saudi government for years (Photo: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg/Getty)
The TBI, which Blair established in 2016 as a not-for-profit advisory group, has reportedly been working with Saudi Arabia on its Vision 2030 strategy which is overseen by the king’s son and de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The project aims to modernise the kingdom and dilute its economic reliance on oil.
In March, Blair’s consultancy published marketing material on social media including promoting the Saudi national founding day, stating it was “celebrating Saudi Arabia’s legacy since 1727 honouring our past inspiring our future”.
square NEWS ExclusiveJeff Bezos's Amazon donates to Tony Blair's influential think-tank
Read More
Although no details of how much TBI is earning from its work with Riyadh has been disclosed, it has previously been reported that TBI had been advising the Saudi government as part of a £9m not-for-profit arrangement.
Last week, Blair appeared to call into question Labour’s climate agenda and criticised debate on climate change as “riven with irrationality” and “hysteria”.
Dale Vince, a major Labour donor and green industrialist, told The i Paper that Blair’s links to Gulf states discredited his commentary on net zero.
“His suggestion that we have less green energy and instead focus on carbon capture – which means burning more fossil fuels – is transparently self-serving for a consultant to oil producing nations.”
square NET ZERO ExclusiveNo 10 fury as Blair net-zero row disrupts election campaign
Read More
Blair’s criticism of net-zero policies on the eve of the local elections caused a major furore, with some Labour MPs considering the comments a broadside on Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership and a critcism of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
A TBI spokesperson said that any suggestion their work for oil and gas producers affected recent reports around net zero was false.
“Therefore a policy based on an assumption that there is some easy answer to this is false. And because those who oppose this view – which is based on the facts – don’t want to have a serious grown-up argument they try to claim TBI is only doing this because we work in a country that is an oil and gas producer. That only shows the weakness of their position.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Tony Blair’s growing links to Saudi Arabia revealed )
Also on site :