Shell Backtracks On Emission Reduction Targets
By Paul Homewood
h/t idau
Oil and gas (O&G) giant Shell has scaled back its 2030 and 2035 emission reduction targets, indicating that it expects the globe to fail the Paris Climate Agreement.
The landmark Paris Climate Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change signed by 196 parties, requires the world to almost halve emissions this decade.
Detailed within Shell’s Energy Transition Strategy 2024 report, the O&G company has lowered its emissions reduction targets from a 20% reduction to 15-20% by 2030. Shell has also “retired” its emissions reduction targets of 45% by 2035.
Shell initially set its emissions reduction targets based on its Net Carbon Impact (NCI) metric, which compares emissions to a 2016 baseline. It is worth noting that the company still maintains its target to cut emissions by 100% by 2050.
Shell is not the first O&G giant to have slashed its reduction targets, with BP also slashing its 2030 emissions reduction target from a 35-40% reduction to 20%-30%, compared with 2019 levels, in 2023. This was due to the firm’s commitment to increasing oil production to bolster energy security.
“With this backtrack, Shell bets on the failure of the Paris Climate Agreement, which requires almost halving emissions this decade,” responds Mark van Baal, founder of activist shareholder group Follow This. “Only Shell’s shareholders can change the board’s mind by voting for our climate resolution at the shareholders’ meeting in May.
“This backtracking removes any doubt about Shell’s intentions: the company wants to stay in fossil fuels as long as possible. The board not only endangers the global economy by exacerbating the climate crisis but also puts the company’s future at risk through policy interventions, disruptive innovation, stranded assets, and accountability for the costs of climate change.”
Of course, as we know, there was no legally binding agreement at Paris to cut emissions – the actual text even acknowledged that emissions would carry on rising up to 2030.
The silly activist investor, Mark van Baal, can stamp his little feet as much as he wants; but economic reality will always win out in the end.
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NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT 
As a long-time shareholder – bring it on! Activist shareholder groups like ‘follow this’ can make as much noise as they like, but O&G will remain indispensable components in global energy requirements for decades.
I sold out of Shell when they adopted the green bullxxxt. Maybe look to invest again if they are coming back to common sense.
“economic reality will always win out in the end.”
Correct.
But I fear that the economies of the West will have been destroyed by then.
Which Figueres, Strong and Edenhoffer admitted was the aim, years ago.
Shell backtracks – share price rockets!!
Hope so, down a bit from October peak.
For those who bought at £10 in 2020 and sold at £25 in 2023, the question is will it now go to £40??
No idea, NGC, but I won’t be betting against it by selling in the foreseeable.
I’d also miss the reliable, regular dividends.
Optimistic I think, the main gain recently was after delisting from Hague and moving HQ to London. Still good to have, RR even better!
The main gain was getting rid of the burden of van Beurden.
Is common sense finally breaking through?
Or if you are not mentally challenged, in May you will vote AGAINST the Follow Us resolution as I did when they did the same last year.
I may reinvest in Shell just for the Pleasure of voting against Follow Us Fascists.
Worth an outing to London. My mother’s shares did well (until Gordon Brown tanked Lloyds at least!) by her going to AGMs and assessing the management teams.
“You can be sure of SHELL ” …. Huh, puh!