BP Amoco, one of the world's largest corporations, was on Corporate Watch's Ten Worst Corporations list for 2000 -- lobbying to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling, lots of fines for not handling toxic waste properly, and so on. But lately, BP is not behaving like an "oil company." First, BP is in favor of the Kyoto accords, and in the linked-to page says that it has implemented what is basically the equivalent of Kyoto on its own -- a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions -- at no net cost and ahead of schedule. BP continues to lobby for government support of Kyoto.

Second, a few weeks ago, BP announced that it will no longer make political donations anywhere in the world. "We'll engage in the policy debate, stating our views and encouraging the developmnet of ideas -- but we won't fund any political activity or any political party," said BP's CEO. Even Ralph Nader praised this in a recent syndicated column. Is there such a thing as a "green" oil company?