After 13 years of litigation, a Dutch appeals court ruled last year that Shell's Nigerian subsidiary must pay for a series of leaks and that the parent company must install the new pipeline equipment to prevent further devastating spills.
On Friday, Shell said that it had come to an agreement with the Dutch environmental group Milieudefensie that has helped the communities that have been affected.
According to a statement, "Under the settlement, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. (SPDC) will pay an amount of EUR 15 million for the benefit of the communities & the individual claimants," as the operator of the SPDC joint venture said.
Petroleum pollution refers to the presence of petroleum products in the environment, often as a result of spills or leaks.
Petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel, and crude oil, are toxic and can have harmful effects on the environment and human health.
Petroleum pollution can occur in a variety of ways, including through oil spills from ships or pipelines, leaks from storage tanks or fuel storage facilities, and improper disposal of petroleum products.
Petroleum pollution can have a range of negative impacts on the environment, including:
Damage to ecosystems and wildlife: Oil spills can harm or kill a wide range of marine animals, including birds, fish, and mammals. They can also damage the habitats that these animals rely on, such as coral reefs and mangroves.
Contamination of water sources: Oil spills can contaminate water sources, including rivers, lakes, and oceans, making them unsafe for human consumption and aquatic life.
Air pollution: The burning of petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel, can release harmful pollutants into the air, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have a negative impact on the air quality & human health.
Oil spills can have particularly devastating effects on marine ecosystems, as the oil can coat and suffocate wildlife and plants, and it can also contaminate water sources and make them unsafe for human use.
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