Shell Lowers Its Emissions Targets Amid Industry Pressures

Shell plc has recently revised its climate strategy, drawing attention and criticism from environmental groups and sustainability advocates. Under the leadership of CEO Wael Sawan, the company reduced its near-term target for cutting net carbon intensity from third-party product use to 15%, down from a more ambitious 20%. More significantly, Shell scrapped its previously stated goal of a 45% reduction in overall emissions by 2035, which was anchored to a 2016 baseline. These strategic shifts highlight the mounting tension between meeting global climate commitments and maintaining profitability in a still carbon-dependent global economy. In 2024 alone, Shell reported a staggering 58 million metric tons of operational emissions—most of it from its upstream activities. The company’s retreat from earlier climate promises has raised doubts about the credibility of voluntary corporate pledges and whether fossil fuel giants can truly lead the energy transition. Critics argue that weakening these targets sends the wrong signal at a critical juncture for the planet, while defenders suggest that recalibrating goals ensures they are achievable amid market and logistical constraints. As Shell repositions itself, this move signals a broader industry reckoning with the gap between climate ambition and action—a gap with serious global consequences.