Shell Oil Calls For Government-Imposed Limits On Emissions - "Voluntary Is Not Fast Enough"

[hatrack]

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The head of Shell Oil Co (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday that governments need to enact mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions and not rely on voluntary measures to battle global warming.

"I think that voluntary is not fast enough," Shell President John Hofmeister told an environmental event. "I think it's time for government to lead on this issue."

Oil companies such as Shell have long been branded global warming enemies by environmental groups for their opposition to restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of the burning of fossil fuels.

But the enactment of carbon caps in Europe and growing likelihood of new rules in the United States have spurred oil companies to moderate their views. Many companies have complained that the patchwork of regulations emerging around the globe needs to be replaced by a more uniform system that will create a level playing field for companies to address climate change.

EDIT

http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2538148320070925

[Lorien]

1. This is the type of story that needs to be in LBN, imho. n/t

[kestrel91316]

2. Bush to Shell Oil: STFU you pantywaist latte-sippin' Europeans.

[The2ndWheel]

3. "Voluntary Is Not Fast Enough"

I imagine you'll be hearing that a lot in the 21st century, on a whole range of issues.

Uniformity, mandatory, non-voluntary...it's the only way to keep a system growing.

[hatrack]

4. Actually, I imagine "Voluntary WASN'T fast enough" may end up as the universal moan . . .

It's a nice complement to phrases like "No one could have imagined that climate would destabilize so quickly!"

:eyes:

[Greyskye]

5. Translation:

Shell realizes that greenhouse gas emissions are a problem. They know that at some point it is going to come down to governmental regulations.

What they don't want to happen, is to do this all on their own, and have the competing oil and gas companies get a temporary economic advantage over them.

This is not a sudden 'oh gee, we must go green' attitude, it is simply economic self-interest in not letting competitors get any sort of short term advantage.

[Delphinus]

6. Oh,

I was hoping he had *finally* seen the light! As you must know, until something happens to them (or the rest of the sleeping populace), nothing ever needs to change.

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. Re: Translation

Which is not necessarily a bad thing.

For example, I don't care if a company installs solar panels to save on their electric bills, rather than for some higher minded ecological reason. I'm just pleased to see them do it.

Shell got into solar power in the 70's for economic reasons; and that's just fine with me.