2024-04-10 15:19:15
The CEO of the Dutch branch of Shell spoke out against the actions of environmentalists. Frans Everts spoke about the consequences of climate lawsuits for the economy on the WNL television program Op Zondag, Day.Az reports with reference to Lenta.ru.
According to him, lawsuits aimed at changing the sustainability policies of individual concerns are damaging the Dutch economy. In particular, the court ruled in favor of the environmental organization Milieudefensie, obliging Shell to increase the pace of reducing harmful emissions. “The judge has taken the place of the legislator. This only happens in the Netherlands,” Everts said. The appeal of the largest oil and gas concern will be considered in the near future.
Environmentalists are also targeting other large Dutch companies – ING, KLM and Ahold, assures the guest of the program. By their actions, environmentalists are forcing industry giants to move production abroad. Consumer demand, according to Everts, will still not be reduced by climate action, because citizens will continue to refuel with fossil fuels, regardless of who supplies it.
Moreover, such lawsuits are often filed against those who became pioneers in solving climate problems. This only reduces the desire of businesses to invest in the transition to green energy, Everts is convinced. Thus, Shell is the largest investor in renewable energy sources in the Netherlands. The company’s investments in an offshore wind farm, the largest plants for the production of biofuel and green hydrogen, charging stations for electric cars and CO2 capture technologies amount to $6.5 billion, Everts clarifies.
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