Shell CEO supports Biden's climate initiatives

The head of Shell praised President Biden’s climate policies for promoting job creation and local supply chains.

Corbin Hiar reports for POLITICO.


In short:

  • Shell CEO Wael Sawan endorsed Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act, highlighting their success in attracting capital across the U.S.
  • Sawan stressed the importance of stability and predictability in climate technology incentives and LNG permitting for future energy investments.
  • He also noted the role of LNG in transitioning to lower-carbon solutions and criticized absolutist views against fossil fuels.

Key quote:

"You’re creating jobs. You’re actually starting to anchor new industries. And over time, what you will do is you will create supply chains locally that are able to satisfy the demands of many of these industries."

— Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell

Why this matters:

Bipartisan support for climate policies from major industry leaders like Shell can enhance the stability and continuity of these initiatives. By focusing on domestic production and resources, President Biden’s policies not only support job growth but also enhance the resilience of the U.S. economy against global disruptions. This shift can help reduce carbon footprints associated with long-distance transportation and promote sustainability.

An oil tower flaring gas into the sky

BC made small gains on emissions — but the province is scrapping policies

A new report shows some limited progress on reducing carbon pollution in 2023 — the latest year for which data is available. But experts worry the trend may reverse after recent clawbacks of several climate measures.
A set of servers with wires connecting equipment

Data centers could double Delaware’s power demand, Delmarva says

Delaware could see five new data centers with a combined energy demand reaching almost that of the entire state, according to Delmarva Power. 
A giant door opening onto an underground research station in a snowy landscape

Antarctic ice vault preserves Mont Blanc and global glacier samples for future science

A slice of the Mont Blanc glacier has become one of the first Alpine ice samples to be stashed away in a natural Antarctic freezer for future scientists to study.
a snow covered street lined with small houses
Credit: K8/Unsplash

These Finnish homes are being heated by a surprising source: Bitcoin

Can the reuse of crypto mining’s waste heat redeem its carbon footprint?
View of Tehran from a hillside with smog in the background

Water shortages, blackouts and air pollution: How environmental damage fuelled Iran's protests

Iran’s protests are often framed as economic, political or ideological. Yet a deeper ecological crisis is eroding the fabric of society.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Milo Werner and Chris Barnard speaking with attendees at the Energy Freedom Tour stop at MIT
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore on Flickr/ Licensed under creative commons: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

18 Trump energy, enviro officials to watch in 2026

Meet the behind-the-scenes officials driving the president's "energy dominance" agenda.
an oil rig in the middle of the ocean.

Opinion: Trump’s five-year plan for offshore oil could be disastrous. Just ask Louisiana

The same industry that will benefit from Trump’s plan already turned the Louisiana coast into a dumping ground, leaving infrastructure behind to decay.  
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.