There are inherent limitations to the accuracy of environmental and social data. We recognise that our environmental and social data will be affected by these limitations and continue to improve the integrity of our data by strengthening our internal controls.
All non-financial data in this report are reported on a 100% basis for companies and joint ventures where we are the operator. Environmental data are for our direct emissions unless otherwise stated. We report in this way, in line with industry practice, because these are the data we can directly manage and affect through operational improvements.
Operations acquired or divested during the year are included only for the period of our ownership. Other data are collected from external sources, staff surveys and other internal sources as indicated.
We only include data in this report that have been confirmed by the end of March 2013. If incidents are reclassified or confirmed, or if significant data changes occur after preparation of this report, they will be updated in the following year’s publication. Data marked in the social data table come from an internal survey completed by the senior Shell representative in each country. The accuracy of environmental and social data may be lower than that of data obtained through our financial systems.
Data provided are subject to internal controls. Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd has provided limited assurance of our direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data for 2012. Limited assurance means nothing has come to the auditor’s attention that would indicate that the data are not correct. For GHG emissions we provide more detailed data on our corporate website.
Conversions into US dollars are based on the average exchange rates for 2012.