Shell is parting ways with U.S. oil lobbying group because it doesn't support fighting climate change

Shell parts ways with U.S. oil lobbying group

(Image credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell said Tuesday it's leaving the U.S. lobbying organization American Fuel & Petroleum Manufacturers (AFPM) because a review of Shell's industry ties uncovered "material misalignment on climate-related policy positions with this association." Among the disagreements cited was AFPM's lack of "stated support for the goal of the Paris Agreement," which Shell backs, and approval of President Trump's efforts to roll back auto mileage standards.

"The rupture signals how Shell and some other oil giants, largely headquartered in Europe, are moving more aggressively on climate than the petroleum industry as a whole," Axios explains. But of the 19 trade group memberships Shell reviewed, under a deal reached in December with green activist investors, the oil giant severed ties only with AFPM. Shell found "some misalignment" on climate policy with the top U.S. oil lobbying group, the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, but it pledged only to "continue to engage further with these industry associations to promote climate-related policies that support the goal of the Paris Agreement."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.