The Science Museum in London received over £4 million in sponsorship from Adani Green Energy, an Indian energy company now embroiled in bribery and fraud allegations. Documents recently disclosed to The Times UK reveal that despite rising concerns over the partnership, the museum continued to accept funds from the company, even pushing for additional financial support from Adani Green Energy.
The sponsorship, which saw Adani Green Energy become the sole backer of the museum’s “climate change” gallery, initially sparked controversy among museum trustees. In November of last year, the US Department of Justice indicted Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Green Energy, for securities and wire fraud, accusing the company of paying over $250 million in bribes to secure solar power contracts. Adani and his nephew also faced fraud allegations related to raising $175 million from US investors.
Despite these serious accusations, documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that the museum’s trustees raised concerns internally but did not pursue an explanation from the Adani Group regarding the US charges. Trustees were said to have agreed to continue monitoring the situation but made no official comment regarding the potential legal consequences for Adani, who could face arrest if he appeared in the UK.
The relationship between the Science Museum and Adani has been contentious. In addition to the fraud charges, the Adani Group’s ties with an Israeli arms manufacturer have raised further ethical questions, with critics accusing the company of complicity in the Gaza conflict.
Adani Green Energy, a subsidiary of one of the largest coal producers in the world, has faced growing backlash over the sponsorship deal. Despite this, the Science Museum pressed for even more funding from the company, suggesting a significant “uplift” to the original £4 million agreement. Critics, including the campaign group Culture Unstained, have questioned the museum’s commitment to ethical principles, given the environmental and financial concerns surrounding its sponsor.
Isobel Tarr, co-director of Culture Unstained, called on the museum to take responsibility for its actions. “The Science Museum has taken even more of Adani’s dirty money, committing further to laundering the reputation of a coal giant and weapons producer, mired in corruption allegations,” she said.
The museum, which initially faced public protests over the partnership, has yet to address these ethical questions publicly. It has, however, pledged to continue adhering to its due diligence process in evaluating sponsorship deals, a policy which states that donations should not come from parties involved in financial crime or illegal activities.
