Nectar replaces BP by Esso amid criticism of climate activists | Business

Environmental activists have blamed a major UK customer loyalty program for entrusting Esso – whose parent company ExxonMobil is criticized for its climate change track record – as its new fuel partner.

The BP oil group has terminated its 16-year partnership with the Nectar loyalty card, which means that starting Saturday, the 20 million cardholders – owned by Sainsbury's – do not will be able to earn more points with BP and will instead be happy to collect Nectar points. Esso brand sites when filling their tanks.

As part of the largest service station loyalty program that reflects the turbulence and environmental pressures on the sector, Esso ended its partnership with Tesco Clubcard to implement the Esso Nectar program.

Environmental advocates have warned that loyalty cards are boosting the consumption of harmful fossil fuels, despite the imminent ban on sales of 2040 gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2040 and the incentive the adoption of low-emission electric vehicles.

"We are facing a climate emergency," said Rachel Kennerley, Friends of the Earth climate activist. "It's a step backwards and a step backwards for Nectar to partner with some of the biggest polluters in the world."

Paul Morozzo, climate activist at Greenpeace UK, said: "The promotion of fossil fuels is always deeply irresponsible. If someone pours bleach on your corn flakes, does it matter whether it's Cif or Domestos?

The world's largest oil group, ExxonMobil is best known in the UK for its Esso and Mobil brands. It is one of the largest gasoline retailers in the UK, serving approximately 800,000 customers each day through a network of 1,100 Esso branded service stations.

David Chilton, Global Head of Loyalty Programs at ExxonMobil, said, "Our customers are our top priority, so we are excited to launch the Esso Nectar partnership."

However, in the United States, the company has been investigated on allegations that it was aware of the dangers of global heating for decades but misled the public about these risks. The firm rejected the accusation. The European Union is studying its alleged role in spreading misinformation about the climate crisis.

James Moir, Managing Director of Nectar Loyalty, said, "We are always looking for new ways to reward our customers and we are excited to offer them the opportunity to turn their fuel into cash for their weekly shop, as well as hundreds other personalized awards. "

In a series of other changes in the sector, BP will soon launch a new loyalty program for its retail business in the UK, a network of more than 300 service stations in the UK and a further 900 stations – BP brand service owned and managed by independent resellers.

The Shell Drivers' Club offered cash discounts on fuel points or Avios or Waitrose vouchers. But this month, it launched a new customer loyalty card, Shell Go +, which no longer allows its members to direct their points towards carbon offset systems. The two main surviving diets are Morrisons More and Texaco.

"Loyalty to gas stations is changing dramatically, and by summer the entire landscape will have been transformed," said Anika Newjoto, editor of the Shopper Points Web site. rewards for supermarkets. "It seems to be happening because, frankly, diets did not work. Gasoline is an activity with a very low profit margin and it seems that the cost of the loyalty points was not profitable. "