Shell follows BP in shifting focus to value and shareholder returns
- Shell plans to loosen its target for carbon-emission cuts
- Targets a 15%-20% reduction in net carbon intensity by 2030
- Introduces goal for customers’ emissions
- Shifts focus to prioritize value and shareholder returns
- Aims to close valuation gap with cross-Atlantic peers
- Reaches net carbon intensity target for 2023
- Sets new target to reduce customer emissions by 15%-20% by 2030
- Expects stable oil production through 2030
- Narrows markets and segments for integrated power business
- Follows similar decision from BP to slow shift to lower-carbon energy
Shell plans to loosen its target for carbon-emission cuts from its operations, following the footsteps of rival BP, as Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan focuses on last year’s pledge to prioritize value. The Anglo-Dutch energy heavyweight said Thursday that it now targets a 15%-20% reduction by 2030 in the net carbon intensity of the energy products it sells, compared with the 2016 base, while introducing a goal for customers’ emissions. In its last energy-transition strategy report–published in 2021 when Ben van Beurden was CEO–the company, in a historic shift, vowed to reduce its net carbon intensity 20% by 2030, 45% by 2035 and to reach net zero in 2050. By pivoting from previous pledges of higher renewable-energy spending, and focusing more on shareholder returns, London-listed BP and Shell seek to close the valuation gap with their cross-Atlantic peers, Chevron and ExxonMobil, which have been more firmly committed to fossil fuels. Since taking over the company at the start of last year, Shell CEO Wael Sawan has made clear that he wants to address that discrepancy. The net carbon intensity target for 2023 of a 6%-8% reduction was reached, with 6.3%, Shell said. In addition, the London-based company set a new target to reduce customer emissions from the use of its oil products by 15%-20% by 2030 compared with 2021. This will mean reducing sales of oil products, such as petrol and diesel, and an increase in low-carbon fuels, including natural gas, LNG and biofuels, Shell said. Still, significant investment will be required to keep supplying oil and gas as demand is expected to drop at a slower rate than the decline of the world’s oil and gas fields, it said. It expects its oil production to remain stable through to 2030. The revised carbon-emission reduction target on energy products sold–to 15%-20% from 20% by 2030–is a result of a narrowing of its markets and segments for the integrated power business, which include selling more power to commercial customers and less to retail, Shell said. "Our focus on where we can add the most value has led to a strategic shift in our integrated power business," the London-based company said. Given this focus, Shell said it expects lower total growth of power sales to 2030. The revised target follows a similar decision from BP, which last year said it would slow its shift to lower-carbon energy and increase spending on oil-and-gas production. "At the end of the day, we’re responding to what society wants," then-CEO Bernard Looney said February last year. Shell said it will continue to halve its absolute emissions from operations by 2030, having already achieved more than 60% of this target in 2023. It also confirmed it will invest $10 billion-$15 billion between 2023 and the end of 2025 in low-carbon energy solutions.
Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed overview of Shell’s plans to adjust its carbon-emission reduction targets, including specific percentages and goals. It includes information on the company’s previous pledges, the reasoning behind the changes, and comparisons with rival companies. The article does not contain significant irrelevant information, misleading details, sensationalism, or bias. Overall, the article presents factual information about Shell’s carbon-emission reduction targets and strategies.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed overview of Shell’s plans to adjust its carbon-emission reduction targets, including comparisons with rival BP and explanations for the changes. It includes information on the company’s previous pledges, current targets, and strategies for reducing emissions. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with specific examples and data. However, it lacks in-depth analysis of the long-term implications of these changes and does not explore the consequences of Shell’s decisions on stakeholders or the environment in detail.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The article pertains to the energy sector and the strategies of Shell, a major energy company. It may impact the valuation and performance of Shell and its competitors in the market.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article discusses Shell’s plans to loosen its target for carbon-emission cuts and prioritize value. While this decision may have financial implications for Shell and the energy sector, it does not describe any extreme events.
Public Companies: Shell (Not available), BP (Not available), Chevron (Not available), ExxonMobil (Not available)
Key People: Wael Sawan (Chief Executive Officer of Shell), Ben van Beurden (Former CEO of Shell), Bernard Looney (Former CEO of BP)
Reported publicly:
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