Shouldn't we be considering ethics as well as environment and money saving?

sabitabanerji

I welcome MSE's email explaining what happens now that my carefully chosen Pure Planet energy account has been taken over by Shell... a company with an apalling environmental and human rights record (see for example https://www.fairplanet.org/dossier/eco-crimes-shell-and-the-niger-delta/). Needless to say, I'll be switching away from them asap - but it's a good reminder that while we're busy trying to save money, we should also be considering the impact of our buying on the women and men that make the things we buy... or simply live in the area where our energy providers may be allowing oil spills to ruin their crops and livelihoods. MSE's email asked if Shell was green and provided a score... but no mention of human rights.

Verdigris

You do know Pure Planet was about 25% owned by BP, who hardly have an unblemished environmental track record.

Is it not a good thing that Shell is gradually transforming into an energy company, rather than just an oil company?

EricMears

Verdigris said:

Is it not a good thing that Shell is gradually transforming into an energy company, rather than just an oil company?

Shell have always been "an energy company, rather than just an oil company" !  Not sure where the party members all plied their trade,  but I used to show parties of Shell Coal people visiting UK around our cement works so that they could see how we used coal;  no doubt they visited other coal-using industries on other days.

Brie

is there any energy company in the UK that relies completely on renewable/green resources? 

I'm sure there is none that everyone would agree has an impeccable human rights record.

Verdigris

Brie said:

is there any energy company in the UK that relies completely on renewable/green resources? 

I'm sure there is none that everyone would agree has an impeccable human rights record.

Ecotricity probably fits the bill. I used to work, via an agency, as a meter reader for G4S and they lost the contract with Ecotricity because Ecotricity's customers didn't want to be associated with such a dodgy company.