What sustainability means at Shell

Our approach to sustainability is integrated across our business activities on three levels:

1. Running a safe, efficient, responsible and profitable business

This is the foundation of our approach. Safeguarding and respecting people – our employees, contractors and neighbours – is fundamental to how we do business. This includes having global standards, processes and tools in place to manage safety, the environment and how we engage with communities. We aim to continuously improve the way we operate to prevent incidents and to identify, avoid where possible and minimise adverse environmental and social impacts. We report on our performance in our annual sustainability report.

2. Sharing wider benefits where we operate

We plan our business for the long term to help ensure we play a positive role in communities where we operate and in wider society. We contribute to the development of local economies by creating jobs, boosting skills, sourcing from local suppliers and helping to improve industry standards, as well as paying taxes and royalties. We support community projects that are based on the needs of the local communities.

3. Helping to shape a more sustainable energy future

Achieving a more sustainable energy future requires an energy transition that allows society to reduce its emissions, tackle climate change, while also extending the economic and social benefits of energy to everyone. This ambition requires a change in the way energy is produced, used and made accessible to more people while drastically cutting emissions. It is feasible but requires urgent action and long-term vision. Shell is a willing and able player in this transition. We will play our role where it makes commercial sense, in oil and gas, as well as in low-carbon technologies and renewable energy sources. But there is the need for society as a whole to address the climate challenge. We advocate that businesses, governments and civil society work together to shape a more sustainable energy future.

Shell's approach to sustainability