Det britiske multinationale energiselskab Shell har onsdag meddelt, at det skroter tidligere planer om at skære ned i olieproduktionen i perioden frem til 2030, og derefter angiveligt begynde at skære en eller to procent om året.

Selskabets nye administrerende direktør Wael Sawan, som blev udnævnt i september, siger, at han vil prioritere udbytte til aktionærerne, rapporterer The Guardian.

Sawan was appointed as Shell’s chief executive in September, replacing Ben van Beurden who had surprised some activists and investors by putting in place a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, albeit with only gradual reductions in fossil fuel output planned.

Selskabet vil investere 40 milliarder dollars i olie- og gasproduktion i perioden frem til 2035, skriver den engelske avis.

Shell will invest $40bn in oil and gas production between 2023 and 2035, compared with between $10bn and $15bn in “low-carbon” products.

Klimaaktivister er ikke tilfredse:

Climate campaigners criticised Shell’s renewed commitment to fossil fuels. Carla Denyer, the co-leader of the UK Green party, said: “For Shell to target more fossil fuel production and to increase payouts to shareholders is pure climate vandalism, and a sign that fossil fuel companies will not steer us to the greener future we all crave without political leadership from national governments.”

Ifølge Sawan planlægger Shell også at øge gasproduktionen, skriver The Guardian.