Shell waters down emissions cut pledge despite crucial climate decade

Energy company now says it aims for 15-20% reduction by 2030, rather than previous target of 20%

The energy company Shell has watered down a key climate target as it prepares to defy climate experts by growing its liquified natural gas business and holding its oil production steady until 2030.

The company signalled that it may slow the pace of its emissions reductions for this decade by setting a new plan to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the energy it sells by 15-20% by the end of the decade, compared with its previous target of 20%.