One expert called it a “systematic deceptive marketing campaign designed to interfere with the solution that is necessary to respond to the climate emergency: stopping fossil fuel production.”

Alongside the broad church of earnest opposition, disparate political interests adopted a series of talking points against the schemes for their own gain.

The banks have provided over $30 billion to oil, gas and coal projects since the Paris Agreement was signed. Campaigner warns of “vested interests.”

Standard Bank has been involved in some of the largest and most controversial fossil fuel projects on the continent.

Baker has joined the Global Warming Policy Foundation, a group that campaigners have said perpetuates "lies and falsehoods" about climate science.

Prof Peter Dobson said Global Warming Policy Foundation members were not climate deniers 'for the most part'.

Institutions from eleven countries announced their divestment from fossil fuel companies and urge others to follow their example.

Companies face shareholder votes over climate policy lobbying, emissions disclosures, and aligning their plans with the Paris Agreement.

Researchers said the total health impacts of the plants could amount to $6.2 billion a year.

Oxford University fellow Professor Peter Edwards has been appointed to the Global Warming Policy Foundation’s board of trustees.