shell
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Shell pauses Rotterdam biodiesel plant construction
Shell has halted construction on a major biofuel plant in Rotterdam, citing technical difficulties as the reason for the delay.
In short:
- The biofuel plant, started in 2021, was set to produce 820,000 tonnes of biofuels annually by 2025.
- The project faced technical issues, prompting a temporary pause to reassess and optimize construction processes.
- This pause is part of Shell's broader shift, reducing its green initiatives in favor of more profitable oil and gas projects.
Key quote:
“Low-carbon fuels form a key part of Shell’s ambitions to provide affordable and sustainable products to our customers.”
— Shell spokesperson.
Why this matters:
The delay in Shell's biodiesel plant reflects broader industry struggles to transition to sustainable energy. Traditional diesel fuels are known contributors to air pollution, which poses significant health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Biodiesel, by contrast, burns cleaner and produces fewer pollutants, offering a healthier alternative for communities around the world.
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Credit: TK Kurikawa/Big Stock Photo
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.
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.
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Credit: Zachary Theodore/Unsplash
Shell scales back its climate goals amid business growth
In a strategic pivot, Shell aims for a modest reduction in emissions by 2030, facing criticism for prioritizing expansion over environmental commitments.
Jillian Ambrose reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Shell adjusts its carbon emissions reduction target to 15-20% by 2030, down from an initial 20%.
- The company plans to expand its liquified natural gas operations and maintain current oil production levels.
- Critics denounce the move as a step back for climate action, highlighting Shell's focus on profit over planet health.
Key quote:
This "retrograde step" shows once again that Shell has "no interest in acting for the climate."
— Agathe Masson, campaign group Reclaim Finance
Why this matters:
Shell's decision reflects a broader tension in the energy sector between economic growth and environmental stewardship. With the climate crisis looming, the strategies of major energy firms have significant implications for global efforts to combat climate change, affecting health and sustainability initiatives worldwide.
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Credit: Michel Isamuna/Unsplash
Shell's exit from the Niger Delta raises environmental accountability concerns
A report demands Shell address its extensive pollution legacy and safely decommission its abandoned oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta before exiting the region.
In short:
- Shell is preparing to leave the Niger Delta but faces demands to address its pollution legacy and safely decommission oil infrastructure.
- A report by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations highlights Shell's avoidance of cleanup responsibilities despite significant profits from the region.
- Transparency issues and insufficient funding for decommissioning pose major challenges, with Shell accused of evading long-term environmental responsibilities.
Key quote:
"Shell has pulled off the ultimate Houdini act."
— Audrey Gaughran, executive director of the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations
Why this matters:
Shell's departure from the Niger Delta without addressing its environmental damage could set a dangerous precedent for corporate responsibility worldwide.
This development comes amid findings of widespread noncompliance with plugging requirements in the conventional oil and gas industry. For example, concerns have been raised about Diversified Energy Company, the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the United States, potentially abandoning up to 70,000 oil and gas wells across Appalachia without proper closure.
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Credit: Julius Kielaitis/Big Stock Photo
Shell's new venture raises eyebrows with its climate tech façade
Shell has unveiled Onward, a startup it claims will propel the energy sector toward a greener future. However, critics argue it's a clever disguise for continuing oil and gas operations.
Molly Taft reports for The Guardian in partnership with Drilled.
In short:
- Onward, backed by Shell, promises to connect innovators for tackling energy and climate challenges, yet focuses significantly on oil and gas projects.
- Despite Shell's investment in low-carbon solutions, Onward's job board predominantly lists roles enhancing fossil fuel production.
- Experts criticize these efforts as greenwashing, highlighting the contradiction between Shell's public climate commitments and its business practices.
Key quote:
"It’s a Trojan horse of legitimacy. You’re under cover of the idea that the climate movement is an all-hands-on-deck situation, but what you’re really doing is bringing in players who have very different ideas of what it means to ‘solve’ the climate crisis."
— Melissa Aronczyk, professor of journalism and media at Rutgers University.
Why this matters:
While Shell's Onward initiative presents a forward-thinking image, the focus on oil and gas raises concerns about the sincerity of such climate tech ventures, especially when global climate authorities call for a halt in fossil fuel exploration to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
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Shell faces shareholder rebellion over climate activist resolution
Shell’s board faces a shareholder rebellion as large investors including the UK’s biggest pension scheme prepare to back a climate activist resolution.
Photo by PilMo Kang on Unsplash
Fallow days loom for petrochemical firms
Years of healthy growth are yielding to slowing demand and a capacity overhang.
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