Royal Dutch Shell plc
Attn Mr B.C.A.M van Beurden
Carel van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR ’s-Gravenhage
Subject
liability for inadequate climate policy
Wednesday April 4th, 2018
Dear Mr Van Beurden,
Friends of the Earth - Netherlands (hereinafter “Milieudefensie”) is addressing you as the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell plc.
In this letter, Milieudefensie will explain why it is of the position that Shell, through its corporate activities and corporate strategy, is breaching its legal duty of care by causing climate damage across the globe and undermining the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
As this violation of the law constitutes wrongful conduct vis-á-vis Milieudefensie and the public interest it represents, Milieudefensie is holding Shell to account. In Milieudefensie’s opinion, Shell must remedy this unlawful situation by aligning its corporate activities and investment decisions with the global climate targets.
Recent research shows that Shell has been aware of the seriousness of climate change and the substantial role its products play in the root causes of this problem since at least 1986.1 In aneducational film from 1991, which outlines the catastrophic dangers of climate change, Shell even warned
taking action now is the only safe insurance that we have.2
Despite this call to immediate action over 25 years ago, Shell has to date taken insufficient action to help prevent dangerous climate damage. The production of oil and gas continues to remain the cornerstone of Shell’s growth strategy.3 The company is planning to invest only 1 to 2 billion dollars in more sustainable technologies out of its annual investment volume of 25 to 30 billion.4 However Shell is keenly aware that meeting the climate goals laid down in the Paris Agreement demands that the use of fossil fuels be phased out as soon as possible and that the bulk of all known oil, gas and coal reserves must remain in the ground.5