Graffiti daubed on Shell’s London headquarters this week by climate protesters is a sign of ­disturbed times. Ironically, the huge ­Anglo-Dutch energy group, shipowner and charterer has done more than any other oil company to argue that it takes climate change seriously.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden has pledged to ­reduce the company’s CO2 emissions and lead the ­energy transition, not thwart it.