Shell’s climate ambitions are nowhere near enough to prevent further global warming, according to new research by the OCI (Oil Change International). The OCI examined the climate plans of 8 oil giants. It found that if their plans are implemented, it will be impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
The researchers used 10 criteria to assess the companies to see whether their ambitions are sufficient to limit the effects of the climate crisis. Here is the review of Shell. Spoiler alert – it’s not a report to be proud of.
10 pieces of evidence that Shell is doing too little to stay below the 1.5 degree limit:
- Shell continues to search for new energy sources. Even though the Paris Agreement stated that drilling for fossil fuels must be phased out, Shell continues its search for new sources of oil and gas.
- Shell continues to drill. Until at least 2030, Shell will continue to tap new oil and gas resources.
- Shell continues to invest in fossil fuels. Over 95% of Shell’s investments go into oil and gas production. Shell invests a meagre 5% in renewable energy.
- Shell doesn’t have any concrete phase-out plan for fossil fuels. The oil company has not set any concrete targets for sustainability. The current plans are not enough to maintain the 1.5 degree global warming limit.
- Shell is not doing anything to reduce car emissions. The only plans Shell currently has to reduce CO2 emissions focus on what is released into the environment during production, not with the actual consumption of the fuel they produce.
- Shell is relying on CO2 storage. Shell relies too much emissions capture technologies that are not even available yet, unprofitable and often unfeasible to carry out.
- Shell is misleading people about the impact of gas on the climate. Shell promotes gas as a fuel that is cleaner and better for the climate than oil. However, decreasing gas production will also be necessary to achieve the Paris climate goals.
- Shell remains a member of lobby groups. Since the Paris Agreement, the 5 largest private oil and gas companies have spent $200 million annually on lobbying in attempts to delay the climate deal. Shell is one of the companies actively trying to undermine the climate agreement.
- Shell offers no end date. Shell has no goal, no phase-out plan and no deadline for ending oil and gas extraction. These deadlines are necessary to ensure that the impending changes occur fairly, with special attention paid to workers rights.
- Shell has no plan for employee retraining. Shell has no plans to guide its employees to green jobs in a fair and effective manner.
Support our court case against Shell
It’s clear: Shell is not going to change on its own. Shell continues to bet on oil and gas, endangering the future of the planet. That is why Friends of the Earth Netherlands initiated a climate lawsuit against Shell. We want the judge to force Shell to bring its business plans in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
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