The boss of Shell has warned it would be “dangerous and irresponsible” to cut oil and gas production during an inflation crisis.

Wael Sawan insisted that the world still “desperately needs oil and gas” to avoid a surge in energy costs as households struggle with the cost of living.

The Shell chief executive warned that increased demand from China and a cold winter in Europe could push prices higher - impacting bills.

Mr Sawan has angered climate activists who have criticised the company’s plan to continue oil production until 2030.

Shell’s annual shareholder meeting in May was disrupted by protesters chanting “go to hell” and attempting to storm the stage, with the chaotic four-hour event dominated by accusation that the company was putting the climate at risk.

Professor Emily Shuckburgh, a climate scientist at the University of Cambridge, said companies like Shell should speed up their green transition “rather than trying to suggest the most vulnerable in society are in any way best served by prolonging our use of oil and gas”.

Mr Sawan told the BBC: “I respectfully disagree.” 

He added: “What would be dangerous and irresponsible is cutting oil and gas production so that the cost of living, as we saw last year, starts to shoot up again.”

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