Massachusetts court filings reveal ExxonMobil scientists internally doubted climate solutions the company promoted publicly.

Court filings from an ongoing Massachusetts lawsuit reveal that ExxonMobil scientists internally doubted the viability of climate solutions like algae biofuels and carbon capture that the company heavily promoted to the public. The documents, released as part of a 2019 lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts attorney general, include a 2018 deposition where an Exxon scientist admitted that a public 10,000-barrel-per-day target for algae biofuels was "completely impossible to achieve." Additional files show internal warnings from 2014 and 2017 regarding high costs and technical hurdles for carbon capture and storage, even as the company ran advertisements labeling such initiatives as top-performing successes.

The disclosures support allegations that Exxon deceived consumers and investors by championing public relations campaigns for climate solutions while keeping core oil and gas operations at the center of its business strategy. Massachusetts is seeking financial fines and an injunction to block the alleged deceptive practices. ExxonMobil did not respond to requests for comment, though it has denied misleading the public or investors.

The company contends in annual filings that the legal challenges are meritless attempts to bypass policymakers. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to halt a similar climate lawsuit from Boulder, Colorado, which could impact