Quezon City — Greenpeace Philippines condemned British multinational oil and gas company Shell for its $18.5 billion in annual profits in its latest annual report,1 calling it a glaring reminder of how fossil fuel companies continue to profit from people’s suffering.
The profit announcement comes less than two months after 103 Filipino survivors of Super Typhoon Odette filed a landmark case against Shell in UK courts,2 citing research linking fossil fuel emissions to the increasing likelihood of devastating storms in the Philippines. Meanwhile, a new report3 from Influence Map’s Carbon Majors platform, cites oil and gas company Shell as one of the top 20 Carbon Major entities by emissions in 2024. The company also remains among the top 20 highest carbon producing entities, which “collectively account for 872 GtCO2e, representing 42.5% of global historical fossil fuel and cement CO2 emissions since 1824.” Shell ranks 9th in cumulative historical emissions from 1854–2024.
According to said Odette survivor communities, Shell’s profits represent money earned through the continued loss of homes, livelihood, and even loved ones. Greenpeace says that communities devastated by extreme weather events like Super Typhoon Odette feel the injustice is felt every day, in lost livelihoods, mounting debt, and lives still struggling to recover.
“Kaming mga mangingisda at mga taga-isla ng Tubigon, Bohol ang nagdurusa sa walang-habas na carbon emissions ng mga kumpanya gaya ng Shell. Habang lumalangoy sila sa pera dulot ng marumi at mapanirang fossil fuel, nakalubog naman kami sa baha at pagkakautang tuwing sinasalanta ng bagyo. Kailangan namin ng suporta sa labang ito, hindi lang para sa aming pamilya ngunit pati na rin sa susunod na mga henerasyon.” Bilangbilangan Island, Tubigon resident and Odette Case claimant Arnold Obguia said.
Although Shell reported lower earnings compared to a year earlier ($23.72 billion), environmental activists argue that the drop is inconsequential, as Filipinos continue to bear climate-related losses with limited financial resources while trapped in cycles of disaster and recovery.
“These obscene profits of fossil fuel companies are grossly unfair—benefiting only a few while placing the majority at the receiving end of extreme weather events. They regularly force frontline communities and the government to break the bank even after barely recovering from the loss and damage they’ve incurred from the past storms, burying them deeper in debt. Even Malacañang has acknowledged that climate change has contributed to the country’s worst economic slump in decades4—this should already be a wake-up call,” Greenpeace Philippines Climate Campaigner Jefferson Chua said.
“Let us not wait for the economic costs and death toll to pile up further before we recognize that people’s welfare must come before corporate profits. We call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to urgently hasten the fossil fuel phase-out and make climate justice a national priority. Corporations like Shell must be held accountable,” Chua added. “We urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stand with communities seeking justice from climate polluters like Shell, and push Congress to fast-track the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Bill,5 which would compel major carbon-polluting companies to compensate communities for climate-related loss and damage.”
Notes to editors:
[1] In their Q4 2025 Results, Shell plc posted an earnings of $18.5 billion for the full-year of 2025, weaker than the annual profit of $23.72 billion a year earlier.
[2] Filipino Odette survivors file landmark climate damages case against Shell in the UK
[3] Carbon Majors: 2024 Data Update
[4] Marcos Jr. attributes PH’s growth slump to climate change, corruption probe
[5] Landmark climate accountability law to make corporate polluters pay pushed in Congress
For requests for interviews and other information, please contact:
James Relativo
Communications Campaigner | Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63 919 069 3424 (Viber & WhatsApp)
