Friends of the Earth: Shell attacked for "blatant" hypocrisy in sponsoring wildlife prize: Thursday 12 January 2006Jan 12 2006
Friends of the Earth today (Thursday 12th January) attacked the oil giant Shell for blatant hypocrisy in seeking to link its brand with wildlife conservation, following the announcement that the company is the new sponsor of the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, now re-branded as the "Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year" [1]. The prestigious photographic competition, jointly organised by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, attracts stunning images of the natural world, often featuring endangered and rarely seen species. Announcing the new promotion, Shell's UK Chairman James Smith said: "The competition highlights the importance of supporting global biodiversity. This is an area of considerable importance to us as a company and one to which we are keenly committed." But Friends of the Earth said the new sponsorship deal would undermine everything the competition stood for. Shell has frequently been criticised for the damaging impacts of its operations around the world. Most recently conservationists have raised concerns about Shell's operations off the Russian island of Sakhalin, endangering the last remaining population of the Western Pacific Grey Whale [2]. Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said: "If Shell put half the effort into cleaning up its act as it puts into promoting a green image then it might be entitled to trumpet its support for global biodiversity. The sad reality is that after years of making green claims this company is still causing unacceptable damage to wildlife, is polluting local communities and is helping to accelerate climate change." Friends of the Earth has repeatedly scrutinised Shell's green claims, publishing a series of reports highlighting their actual performance [3]. The environmental organisation also has images showing the impacts on wildlife of Shell's operations in the Niger Delta of Nigeria - where little wildlife remains. Notes[1] www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/comp-index.html [2] Rare Grey Whales threatened by oil and gas project (14 December 2005) [3] Reports: Failing the Challenge: the other Shell report (PDF†) 2002 Behind the Shine: the other Shell report (PDF†) 2003 Lessons not learned: the other Shell report (PDF†) 2004 Gas Flaring in Nigeria: A Human Rights, Environmental and Economic Monstrosity (PDF†) Other examples: Ten years on: Shell still not welcome in Nigeria (10 November 2005) Shell profits from climate change (27 October 2005) Shell Profits at the Expense of the Environment (28 July 2005) Shell Faces Community Rebellion at AGM (28 June 2005) Communities Sue Shell to Stop Nigerian Gas Flaring (20 June 2005) Shell's new Sakhalin II pipeline route still puts whales at risk (30 March 2005) Shell warned on Dangers to Whales of Sakhalin Project (16 February 2005) Shell wins award in Davos (26 January 2005)
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