AFP, London :
Energy giant Royal Dutch Shell declared Thursday that its oil output is locked in decline after peaking in 2019 as it outlined green plans to switch away from fossil fuels.
The London-listed company will invest up to $6.0 billion (4.9 billion euros) per year in green energy products such as biofuels, electric car charging and renewables, it said in a strategy update.
The group said it anticipates a “gradual reduction” in oil output of 1.0-2.0 percent each year, including divestments.
Total carbon emissions for the company peaked in 2018, it added.
The global oil sector, nursing vast losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is accelerating plans to switch into greener energy and slash carbon emissions in the face of with intensifying climate change fears.
“Our accelerated strategy will drive down carbon emissions and will deliver value for our shareholders, our customers and wider society,” Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden said Thursday.
“We must give our customers the products and services they want and need – products that have the lowest environmental impact.
“At the same time, we will”¦ make the transition to be a net-zero emissions business in step with society” by 2050, van Beurden added.
Shell is matching a commitment by rival BP as the Anglo-Dutch group’s update sparked more accusations of corporate “green washing” from environmental campaigners.
“Shell”¦ brazenly says it will dodge oil production cuts and will simply let output dwindle,” noted Mel Evans, head of Greenpeace UK’s oil campaign.
“Without commitments to reduce absolute emissions by making actual oil production cuts, this new strategy cannot succeed nor can it be taken seriously.” The sector’s transition demands big investments at a time when oil majors are looking to make sizeable savings and axe thousands of jobs.
Energy giant Royal Dutch Shell declared Thursday that its oil output is locked in decline after peaking in 2019 as it outlined green plans to switch away from fossil fuels.
The London-listed company will invest up to $6.0 billion (4.9 billion euros) per year in green energy products such as biofuels, electric car charging and renewables, it said in a strategy update.
The group said it anticipates a “gradual reduction” in oil output of 1.0-2.0 percent each year, including divestments.
Total carbon emissions for the company peaked in 2018, it added.
The global oil sector, nursing vast losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is accelerating plans to switch into greener energy and slash carbon emissions in the face of with intensifying climate change fears.
“Our accelerated strategy will drive down carbon emissions and will deliver value for our shareholders, our customers and wider society,” Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden said Thursday.
“We must give our customers the products and services they want and need – products that have the lowest environmental impact.
“At the same time, we will”¦ make the transition to be a net-zero emissions business in step with society” by 2050, van Beurden added.
Shell is matching a commitment by rival BP as the Anglo-Dutch group’s update sparked more accusations of corporate “green washing” from environmental campaigners.
“Shell”¦ brazenly says it will dodge oil production cuts and will simply let output dwindle,” noted Mel Evans, head of Greenpeace UK’s oil campaign.
“Without commitments to reduce absolute emissions by making actual oil production cuts, this new strategy cannot succeed nor can it be taken seriously.” The sector’s transition demands big investments at a time when oil majors are looking to make sizeable savings and axe thousands of jobs.
