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Environment groups criticise Shell CEO van der Veer for undermining climate policies

Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Washington, June 29, 2009 - Fresh evidence of oil giant Shell’s colossal contribution to global climate change and its continued investment in carbon intensive fossil fuels has been revealed today in a new report.[1]  The report also reveals new internal documents that show Shell knew of the environmental dangers of gas
flaring in Nigeria more than fifteen years ago, but chose not to stop flaring purely for financial reasons.

As Shell’s new Chief Executive, Peter Voser, takes charge this week, Friends of the Earth, Oil Change International and PLATFORM have released new research showing that despite attempts by outgoing CEO, Jeroen van der Veer, to portray a green image, the company has opted for a way forward that is in stark contradiction with the need to reduce CO2 emissions. Shell's heavy investments in the most carbon-emitting energy sources, such as tar sands, liquefied natural gas and crude oil from Nigeria - which is associated with huge levels of gas flaring - make it the dirtiest of all major oil companies with regard to CO2 emissions.

The three campaign groups call on the EU and the US to stop listening to Shell in discussions on how to tackle climate change. They say van der Veer has personally led lobby efforts in Brussels against improvements to the EU’s Emission Trading System, and threatened to move refineries out of Europe if Shell and other oil companies were made to pay for
their emissions.

Paul de Clerck from Friends of the Earth International said: “Shell attempts to paint itself as a sustainable company when in reality it is the dirtiest oil producer of all. It continues to make huge profits but still argues that it cannot afford to pay for effective CO2 reduction measures. The EU should no longer listen to Shell in talks about tackling climate change.”

Since 1996 Shell has promised to stop gas flaring in Nigeria - the biggest contributor to climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. But the company has repeatedly broken its promises and rejected statements by the Nigerian government that flaring should be stopped. Shell refuses to implement the 2011 deadline imposed by the Nigerian government for
phasing out gas flaring and is now speaking about a 2013 phase out.

Steve Kretzmann from Oil Change International said: "Shell could stop flaring gas in Nigeria for only 10 per cent of last years’ profit for the company. The company’s new head, Peter Voser, has the power to stop gas flaring, spare Nigerians from inhaling deadly toxins, and help to curb climate change in one stroke. The question is: will he?”

Today’s report, 'Shell's Big Dirty Secret', comes after a global backlash against the energy giant’s abuses of human rights and the environment. On June 8, Shell was forced to pay $15.5 million to settle an embarrassing lawsuit in the US for human rights abuses in Nigeria. The company is also facing legal action in The Hague concerning repeated
oil spills which have damaged the livelihoods of Nigerian fisherfolk and farmers.

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For more information, please contact:

In Belgium: Paul de Clerck, Corporates Campaigner for Friends of the Earth International:
Tel: +32 494 38 09 59 (Belgian mobile), paul[at]milieudefensie.nl

In the Netherlands: Anne van Schaik, Friends of the Earth Netherlands,
Tel: +31 20 5507387, +31 6 21829589, anne.van.schaik[at]milieudefensie.nl

In the U.S. (DC): Steve Kretzmann, Oil Change International,
+1-202-497-1033; steve[at]priceofoil.org

In the U.K. (London): Ben Amunwa, PLATFORM, +44-207-357-0055,
+44-7891-454-714, ben[at]remembersarowiwa.com


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NOTES:

[1] The report, 'Shell's Big Dirty Secret' can be found here.