UN Climate Conference closes without adopting 'Copenhagen accord'
SHELL CLIMATE CRIMES EXPOSED IN NEW REPORT
Amsterdam, Brussels, 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.
***
For more information please contact:
In Belgium: Paul de Clerck, Friends of the Earth International:
+32-494-38-09-59 or paul@milieudefensie.nl
In the Netherlands: Anne van Schaik, Friends of the Earth Netherlands,
+31-20-5507387, +31-6-21829589, anne.van.schaik@milieudefensie.nl
In the U.S. (DC): Steve Kretzmann, Oil Change International,
+1-202-497-1033; steve@priceofoil.org
In the U.K. (London): Ben Amunwa, PLATFORM, +44-207-357-0055,
+44-7891-454-714, ben@remembersarowiwa.com
***
NOTES:
[1] The report, 'Shell's Big Dirty Secret' is online at
http://www.foeeurope.org/corporates/Extractives/shellbigdirtysecret_June09.pdf
Visit www.ShellGuilty.com for more information.
