Shell AGM: government urged to make polluters pay

The government must make big polluters like Shell pay more for the damage they cause and use the money to help the UK transition towards a cleaner future, Friends of the Earth has said today.

Shell's AGM comes shortly after research from Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) and Global Witness published last week revealed that Shell has another 700 oil and gas fields in the pipeline, prompting Milieudefensie to initiate court proceedings against Shell to prevent their opening.

Danny Gross, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

"As we approach the second consecutive year of surpassing the 1.5C threshold, the blatant greed and disregard for the future of our planet by one of the world’s biggest polluters is astounding.

“With wind and solar energy now much cheaper than fossil fuels, Shell's plan to open 700 new oil and gas fields will only further lock us into an expensive, dirty energy system.

"It's well beyond time that those most responsible for polluting our planet pay for the damage they cause. The money raised could then be used to help deliver a cleaner future with lower energy bills, warmer homes, better public transport, cleaner air and well-paid green jobs.  

"The government’s upcoming climate plan is a crucial test: will it serve people up and down the country, or protect the profits of polluters? What we need is real investment in people and the planet – paid for by those who have fuelled the crisis we face.”

ENDS