Shell faces fresh criticism over Niger Delta environmental record

Shell has today faced further criticism over its its environmental record in the Niger Delta with the release of a new report arguing that the company could and should take action to limit its impact on the region.

The report, coordinated by the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility, comprises five case studies carried out by NGOs operating in Nigeria, each of which levels fresh criticism at Shell's activities in the country.

The report recommends Shell stop gas flaring in the region as a matter of urgency, prioritising flares closest to communities, and if necessary halting production while flares are eliminated.

Gas flaring is the practice of burning off natural gas that rises to the surface as oil is sourced from under the ground, and is widely blamed for high levels of carbon emissions and local air and water pollution. According to Friends of the Earth, the practice has endangered human health, harmed local ecosystems, emitted huge quantities of greenhouse gases, and is in violation of Nigerian law.

Shell has repeatedly said it will phase out flaring in Nigeria and has faced court orders insisting that it stop, but is yet to bring an end to an activity that environmental groups claim is the largest source of carbon emissions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The report also recommends that Shell improves its ageing infrastructure in the area, makes sure local people have access to clean drinking water, does more to clean up oil pollution, and improves dialogue with local people.

"The case studies reveal a consistent thread of concerns," the report states. "These include a continuing failure by Shell to operate in the Niger Delta fully according to robust international social and environmental standards, severe pollution of air, land and water, inadequate inclusion of communities in decisions affecting their lives… short-termism and lack of vision."

The ECCR acknowledges that responsibility for improving the lives of people in the area lies largely with the Nigerian government, and notes that Shell has made some efforts in recent years to limit its impact on the area, while creating jobs and training opportunities, and undertaking community development work.

However it adds: "The prevailing civil society view in the Niger Delta and beyond is that currently and cumulatively the benefits of the oil industry’s presence are far outweighed by the negative consequences."