Press releases
International campaign: Shell's oil disaster in Nigeria is 'Worse than Bad'
Amsterdam, 8 May 2012 – How much worse does the biggest oil disaster in the world have to get before the offender starts cleaning up? Apparently even worse than it is now, because Shell has still taken no action. Friends of the Earth Netherlands believes this is unacceptable and has started an international campaign to bring attention to the oil disaster in Nigeria. This 'Worse than Bad' campaign shows the suffering that the Dutch oil concern has been causing in the Niger Delta for decades and asks site visitors to support Friends of the Earth in the struggle against the Dutch multinational. Many ways to do so are shown on worsethanbad.org. For those who want to know the facts, there is also a 'Timeline of Shell's oil pollution in the Niger Delta', filled with unique documents and photos.
Shell oil leaks reach new peak; Nigeria hit hard
Amsterdam, 13 April 2012 – Shell has released its 2011 Sustainability Report. The figures reveal that the number of leaks (208 worldwide) has risen for the first time since 2003: globally, Shell has leaked a total of 6.7 million litres of oil. That is the second highest peak this millennium. Nigeria remains the most seriously affected, where last year the number of leaks due to poor maintenance doubled, from 32 to 64. This means that the oil concern has sunk back to its 2002 level there.
Court date Milieudefensie vs. Shell: 11 Oct. 2012
Amsterdam, 3 April 2012 – The court in The Hague has decided that an open sitting in Milieudefensie’s Nigeria case will be held on 11 October 2012, 9:30 a.m. Milieudefensie [Friends of the Earth Netherlands] and four affected farmers and fishers from Nigeria are demanding that Shell clean up oil pollution in the Niger Delta, compensate those affected and prevent new leaks in its pipelines. This is the first time in history that a Dutch company has been brought before a Dutch court to account for environmental damage caused abroad.
KLM promises: no business with Waterland
Amsterdam, 26 March 2012 – KLM/Air France has stated in writing that it will not do business with the Dutch investment company Waterland International now nor in the future. This statement to Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie) and explanatory remarks are available on Milieudefensie.nl. Waterland fell into discredit a month ago, following the publication of a Milieudefensie report revealing that the cultivation of jatropha for the production of biokerosene has led to abuses on Java. Farmers have been badly exploited by the investor and food cultivation for the local population has come under threat. Waterland CEO William Nolten is doing business with the German airline Lufthansa, and has insinuated that agreements have also been made with KLM.
