Today we received the great news that after only 12 days
of our intensive campaign, Waitrose has announced it has put its partnership with Arctic oil drillers Shell on ice.
After 40,000 emails from you, several store visits, one spoof video, hundreds of Facebook posts, a social media meltdown, and the appearance of a life-size polar
bear at their Islington store yesterday, Waitrose has declared support for the protection of the fragile Arctic.
Waitrose recently opened two pilot stores in Shell forecourts with a view to rolling out the 'new joint format' more widely.
In a press statement this summer Shell said 'the plan is to expand [the
project] later this year'. Waitrose also sold 13 petrol stations to Shell at its out of town superstores.
When we heard of the partnership, we were shocked. We've worked closely with Waitrose in the past to help them source fish more sustainably. The company has built its brand on its environmental
credentials and we know that many of its customers make an ethical choice to
shop there.
Shell, by contrast, is one of the most destructive oil companies
in the world. This summer Shell tried (and failed) to drill for oil in the
Arctic, after a catalogue of disasters which included breaking the oil spill
response equipment during testing. But Shell plans to continue next year, putting
at risk one of the last pristine ecosystems on the planet and the unique
creatures that live there, including polar bears, narwhals and Arctic foxes.
So just under two weeks ago we launched a campaign, asking
Waitrose to dump Shell and to stop helping these toxic oil-drillers look in
any way respectable.
We had an amazing response and Waitrose yesterday told us
they would not be extending its pilot stores on Shell forecourts in
2013. The company has also announced support for protection of the Arctic, saying:
"we share the view that the Arctic should be declared a sanctuary by the United
Nations."
Please help us keep the Arctic safe. Join the global movement to save the Arctic.
