Shell Canada Bids Adieu to Its Top Greenwasher—Will the Next One Be Even Worse?

Posted by John Donovan: 7 Feb 2025

Well, well, well. After 16 years of unwavering service to Big Oil’s never-ending pursuit of profit, Susannah Pierce, Shell Canada’s president and country chair, is heading for the exit. One of the masterminds behind Canada’s leap into the glorious, earth-warming embrace of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Pierce is calling it quits—presumably off to greener (or should we say blacker, oil-stained) pastures.

Under her reign, Shell Canada steamrolled ahead with its $40 billion LNG Canada project in Kitimat, BC—one of the largest private investments in Canadian history. Yes, you read that right. A massive fossil fuel expansion, right when climate scientists are screaming at the top of their lungs for the world to stop burning stuff. But fear not! Shell has generously sprinkled in a little carbon capture and sequestration (CCUS) window dressing to keep up appearances. Because nothing says “climate leadership” quite like doubling down on fossil fuels while slapping a “green” sticker on the whole thing.

Pierce’s legacy isn’t just about pumping out 14 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG (soon to be 28 mtpa if Shell gets its way). No, she also worked on Shell’s oh-so-virtuous oil sands operations—until, of course, they were pawned off to Canadian Natural Resources. After all, when you can shift the mess onto someone else’s balance sheet, why not?

But let’s not forget the accolades! Environmental Defence Canada bestowed upon her the distinguished title of ‘ruthless climate villain,’ accusing her of “painting Big Oil green” by promoting fossil fuel expansion “under the guise of sustainability.” And she really did her best—talking up “clean energy” initiatives while ensuring Shell’s profits kept rolling in from the dirtiest fuels imaginable. BlackRock must be so proud. After all, they and other institutional investors continue to rake in billions from Shell’s unrelenting destruction of the planet.

Pierce took to LinkedIn to reflect on her time at Shell, gushing about the “privilege” of working with a team “dedicated to providing the energy the world needs at this pivotal time.” Ah yes, because what the world clearly needs right now is more fossil fuel infrastructure to lock in decades of emissions. How thoughtful.

Replacing Pierce on March 3 is Stastia West, Shell Canada’s current VP of integrated natural gas. With over 25 years of experience in energy finance, commercial strategy, and asset management, she seems well-equipped to keep Shell’s greenwashing machine running smoothly. Investors—including Shell’s major LNG Canada partners, Malaysia’s Petronas, PetroChina, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, and South Korea’s Kogas—can sleep soundly knowing their fossil fuel empire remains in good hands.

So, what’s next for Shell Canada? More LNG, more emissions, more PR spin about “sustainability.” The only question now is: will Stastia West manage to out-greenwash her predecessor? Stay tuned for the next episode of “How to Destroy the Planet and Make Billions Doing It.”

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