By Bisola Adeyemo
The archbishop of England, the Most Reverend Justin Welby of Canterbury Cathedral has been urged to use all the available tools to encourage all parts of the Church of England to challenge Shell, rather than champion the corporation’s climate and energy plan.
This statement was contained in an open letter to the archbishop of Canterbury, signed by Reverend David Ugolor, on behalf of 39 Nigerian NGOs, who is also the Convener and Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).
According to the petition, the Church of England Pensions Board is lending its moral and financial authority to Shell and plans to vote for Shell’s climate and energy plan at its 2021 Annual Meeting.
Part of the statement reads”Church of England Pensions Board’s Chief Responsible Investment Officer wrote that Shell’s ”goal is clear and unambiguous, and Shell is accountable for delivering that target”.
“Nigeria has deep experience with Shell, and as representatives of Nigerian citizens’ groups, we wish to tell you that we feel that the company is the opposite of accountable to most Nigerians, and has a track record of misleading statements and commitments.
“Shell should not be rewarded for setting a long-term ambition to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050”.
“It is not acceptable for the Church to sign off on a Shell plan for this decade that makes no absolute carbon emission reduction pledges, includes huge increases in gas production, and relies on improbably large amounts of tree-planting.
“Indeed, Shell’s rush to find land for ‘nature-based solutions’ might well lead to further carbon colonialism, slavery and human rights violations in the global south.
“Aiming for net-zero carbon emissions has become another effort by polluting entities like Shell to avoid cutting emissions but rather continue in the harmful practices that drive global warming.
“The Church of England has an important voice in the world on many topics. And on Shell your responsibility is even weightier, as you lead engagement with the company on behalf of the Climate Action 100+, an initiative involving over 500 investors worth $54 trillion.”
The NGOs urged to continue to support their demands for ecological justice and the protection of our environment.
According to them, they will be happy to continue the dialogue as they look forward to a positive response from the Bishop.