At what cost do we use petrol?

At what cost do we use petrol - not just the price at the pump or the boost to climate change, but also the cost to the peoples of the Niger Delta, Co. Mayo and Sakhalin Island, their livelihoods and environs, from which oil and gas are extracted?

With the support of 130 shareholders and a million shares, ECCR (Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility) Oxford will be asking the Royal Dutch Shell AGM in The Hague on 16 May to enhance the company’s reputation by delivering its own undertakings on its ‘Triple Bottom Line’ - social and environmental as well as financial. Those with first hand and expert knowledge of the oil industry and of the Niger Delta say the Resolution is spot on. ECCR has already lobbied the C of E’s national bodies to support the Resolution.

Everyone who has a bank account, an insurance policy, pension or an annuity is likely to have a stake in Royal Dutch Shell through a financial institution. You can lobby them to support it, but you need to write to them very quickly.

Transforming unjust structures of society is one of the strands of Christian mission to which our Church is committed. The Resolution and supporting information are on the ECCR website or contact me for details on 01869 338225, achall@globalnet.co.uk

Canon Christopher Hall