As part of our work for greater corporate accountability, together with Friends of the Earth International and Friends of the Earth Netherlands, we published a parody erratum to Shell’s sustainability report, in which Shell apologises for all previous wrong-doings. We distributed the spoof erratum amongst shareholders at Shell’s AGM today in The Hague, drawing attention to their flagrant green-washing. In the erratum, Shell ‘admits’ that it is “causing a lot of unwanted and unnecessary damage” in its global oil, gas and agrofuels operations. The company also states that Shell “has learnt from these mistakes” and pledges to take “full responsibility to prevent and mitigate costs for the environment and people affected by our operations”.
The erratum highlights 12 cases from 5 continents, displaying climate and other environmental impacts from Shell’s oil and gas operations. It also shows the involvement of Shell in the violation of human rights and labour irregularities, and lists cases of corruption and interference with politics in order to ensure profits for business. The erratum is a wake-up call for Shell’s shareholders and board, and is backed by an in-depth report about the 12 cases involving life threatening pollution, bribery, slavery and violation of national and international laws.
