OUR REQUIREMENTS
- All operations must take a systematic approach to managing environmental impacts, using our HSSE management system.
- Global environmental standards define company-wide requirements in areas like responding to oil spills, energy efficiency, continuous venting or flaring of natural gas, air and water emissions from our facilities and handling of waste.
- Our biodiversity standard requires all our operations to respect protected biodiversity sites.
As our biodiversity standard requires, we had biodiversity action plans (BAPs) in place at all of our eight major operations that are located in areas of high biodiversity value during 2008. These plans define the specific operating practices we use to respect these sensitive areas, and include measures to monitor, conserve and enhance local biodiversity. The plan in place for Ameland Island in the Netherlands, for example, includes a programme to monitor the possible effects of gas production on the biodiversity of this fragile salt marsh ecosystem. The programme is independently run by stakeholders including governments and NGOs.
In 2008, we did not explore or develop oil or natural gas in natural World Heritage Sites, in line with our protected areas commitment.
We have global partnerships with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Wetlands International to work together on biodiversity conservation. In 2008, the partnerships began research to find the best ways to conserve tundra ecosystems in the Arctic, to use wetlands along the flight paths of migratory birds; and to reduce the impacts of growing biofuels on biodiversity and local communities. During 2009, we expect these exploratory studies to generate concrete conservation projects on the ground. In 2008, we co-authored a report with the IUCN called Building Biodiversity Business, which describes the benefits for business of biodiversity conservation. In 2009, we also signed a cooperative agreement with The Nature Conservancy.
What others say
“Humans depend on biodiversity as well as energy. IUCN has worked with Shell for more than 10 years to help the company conserve nature through changes in Shell’s policy and practice. Together IUCN and Shell have delivered real conservation results in places as diverse as Russia, Qatar, China and Italy. Our collaboration continues to expand, and our aim remains the same: sustainable energy, healthy biodiversity, and better standards for Shell and the energy sector.”
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, IUCN
What others say
“Billions rely on wetlands for health, well-being and livelihoods. Wetlands provide water, food, shelter and fuel, plus biodiversity, climate and other global benefits. But wetlands are under critical, increasing pressure. Since 2001, we have worked with Shell to build positive linkages between wetlands and business. In South East Asia, West Africa, Arctic and other key regions, our work together aims to enhance wetland sustainability and to raise standards in the energy sector, particularly at Shell.”
Jonathan Anstey
GLOBAL CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER,
WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL
