Archived press release

Shell's neighbours demand action from chairman watts

23 April 2003

Representatives from Shell's neighbouring communities around the world demanded change at a local level from Shell directors and shareholders today when they attended the company's annual general meeting at the QE2 Conference Centre in London.

Shell's refinery and plant neighbours from the Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States of America travelled to London with the support of Friends of the Earth and the Refinery Reform Campaign and the Environmental Health Fund to raise concerns about the impact of the company's activities on their health, environment and livelihoods. Each representative held a single share, allowing them entry to the AGM and an opportunity to question Shell Chairman Sir Philip Watts.

Hilton Kelley from Port Arthur, Texas, asked Shell directors when they intended to introduce "corporate responsibility" to their operations in Port Arthur, where high levels of pollution have left the neighbouring community with health problems, including high rates of asthma and heart conditions. Cancer rates in the area are also high.

Speaking after the meeting, Kelley said he was hopeful that the residents in Port Arthur would see real changes as a result of the meeting:

"I am hopeful that something will be done. Sir Philip gave me his word. He said he would look into this matter. Things have to change. And if they do not, I will be here next year and in coming years."

Hope Esquillo Tura travelled to the meeting to represent the community in Pandacan, a suburb of Manila in the Philippines. She raised concerns about the Shell depot in the heart of a residential area which continues to operate despite an order from Manila City Council requiring the depot to close.

"We brought to the attention of Shell International and the British people what is happening in Pandacan, Manila. Sir Philip Watts said that Shell is sincere in its commitment to obey and respect the laws of countries where they operate. It remains to be seen how this will be reflected in the way Shell local officials will conduct themselves in future. While we are thankful for the opportunity to speak at the AGM, we are also tired of empty promises and rhetoric. I hope there will be more consistency between the principles Shell preaches and the realities for the local fenceline communities.

Speaking after the meeting, Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper, said:

"Friends of the Earth is delighted that these community representatives were able to attend the Shell AGM so that the directors and shareholders could hear about the impact of their business around the world at first hand. Shell may have listened today, but this will be meaningless if they do not act on what they have heard.

"What is more, these people should not have had to travel half way round the world to get Shell's attention. It is time the British Government woke up to the impacts of UK plc around the world and put duties on company directors to be responsible for their impacts on the environment, on people's health and on their livelihoods. Without corporate responsibility legislations, companies will continue to put profit before people and the environment."

A report on the impacts of Shell's activities on neighbouring communities was published today by Friends of the Earth, the Refinery Reform Campaign and a coalition of community groups and NGOs: Failing the Challenge: The Other Shell Report 2002 (PDF† - 300K).

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust