Joe Lycett to tackle the threat of greenwashing for Channel 4 ahead of COP26

7 October 2021

Comedian and consumer champion Joe Lycett is set to interrogate the troubling problem of greenwashing, a practice where companies exaggerate their green credentials in their marketing output. The new one-off observational film for Channel 4 will air ahead of COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which kicks off later this month in Glasgow.

In Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant (w/t), a 1 x 60 documentary from Rumpus Media, Joe will be focussing his efforts on energy giant Shell, their marketing, and their continued exploration for new oil reserves.

In May 2021, the International Energy Agency released a report with a plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The report called for a halt to the exploration and development of new oil fields. That same month, the District Court in The Hague ruled against Royal Dutch Shell, parent company of Shell, judging that the company currently “disregards its individual responsibility” to reduce its overall emissions, and ordering the Shell group to start reducing them by 45% by 2030. Royal Dutch Shell confirmed in July 2021 that they will appeal the ruling.

On a quest to hold Shell to account and find out more about their business activities, Joe will meet experts in the field and approach campaigners on both sides of the debate, before making a sensational “advert” about their activities and attempting to air it on primetime TV.  

Alf Lawrie, Head of Factual Entertainment at Channel 4 said, “Few now deny climate change, but there are powerful vested interests still trying to delay tackling it. Who better to shine his torch of truth into the dark caverns of misinformation, than Britain’s most fearless – and most fun - campaigner, Joe Lycett.”

Joe Lycett added, “The things I’ve learned making this documentary have been shocking. Expect sarcastic Twitter exchanges, Hollywood stars, me being confronted by some big burly security guards, and a spoof advert depicting the CEO of one of the biggest polluters on earth doing something truly disgusting.”

Morgan Roberts, Executive Producer for Rumpus Media said, “It is a joy to be working with Joe on his most ambitious, most daunting project yet. The documentary sees a lovely, fearless, mild-mannered man from Birmingham take on one of the most powerful companies on earth. It seems like a fair fight to us.”

Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant (w/t) will air on Channel 4 later this month as part of a raft of Climate Change programming.

Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant (w/t) is a 1x60 film for Channel 4 and was commissioned by Channel 4 Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Tim Hancock, and Head of Factual Entertainment, Alf Lawrie. It is a Rumpus Media production, directed by Paul Taylor with Joe Lycett and the Executive Producer is Morgan Roberts.  

For more information:
Lesley Land lland@channel4.co.uk 0207 306 8597