The sustainable development goals
In 2016, the United Nations adopted 17 sustainable development goals. These goals build on the preceding Millennium Development Goals and seek to tackle the world’s economic, social and environmental issues by 2030.
Achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) will require action by governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector. Companies can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by reducing the negative impact of their operations and seeking to contribute positively to the environments and communities in which they work.
Shell and the SDGs
The goals highlighted below are most closely related to the topics that were identified as most relevant or prominent for Shell in 2016, which are covered in this report. See how we selected the topics for the Sustainability Report 2016.
The sustainable development goals
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
We work to protect and preserve water and manage its use in a responsible and sustainable way. We invest in new technologies to use this valuable resource more efficiently. Fresh water is an important part of our environmental standards. (See Natural gas, Oil sands, Environment).
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Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Shell’s purpose is to provide more and cleaner energy solutions. We do this by investing in the production and distribution of oil and natural gas, as well as in lower-carbon technology and sources of energy. We also invest in local projects to help communities gain access to energy. In the Philippines, for example, we are using hydro and solar power to provide energy to an off-grid community. (See Towards a low-carbon future, Social performance).
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Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Our activities create jobs, use local suppliers and support local businesses. We contribute to economic growth by paying taxes and royalties to local governments. Our projects create demand for a range of goods and services, such as construction. We assess those we work with to ensure they adhere to principles supporting the eradication of forced labour and modern slavery and the protection of labour rights. We have social investment projects to help create opportunities for individuals. Shell LiveWIRE, for example, helps young people start their own businesses. These local programmes operate in 15 countries including Oman, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. (See Living by our principles, Contractors and suppliers).
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Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
We work with governments, academics and industry specialists, and partner with companies and organisations to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. We share ideas and expertise with partners inside and beyond the energy sector to help encourage innovation. We have programmes in various countries to support small- and medium-sized businesses. (See Our business partners).
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Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
The Shell Scenarios team has partnered with local authorities in three emerging Asian cities to help them explore new approaches to urban development and to help make these cities more resilient.
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Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
We have codes, policies and assurance processes to help define how we can protect the environment, respect our neighbours and cause no harm to people. We have voluntarily reported on our environmental and social performance since 1997. Energy efficiency is carefully considered in the life cycle of our fuels and lubricants, from managing energy consumption in their production to providing customer advice on optimum fuel efficiency. (See Environment)
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Goal 13: Climate action
We continue to work to manage greenhouse gas emissions from our operations and have signed up to the World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative. Our major projects have energy management plans and we monitor and manage our emissions using, for example, methane emissions detection technology. We work with governments, other companies and international organisations to help advance the transition to a low-carbon future. In 2016, in its first operating year, our Quest carbon capture and storage project in Alberta, Canada, captured and safely stored more than 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. (See Our greenhouse gas emissions, Managing methane emissions, Carbon capture and storage).
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Goal 14: Life below water
Shell is working with governments, non-governmental organisations and other experts to find ways to protect marine biodiversity. We aim to avoid impacts on biodiversity when developing new projects. We carry out impact assessments to minimise the extent to which local biodiversity and communities might be affected by operations. Shell is also involved in research programmes to help increase understanding of marine mammals. One example is our collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature off the east coast of Russia. (See Environment, Environmental partners).
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Goal 15: Life on land
We aim to minimise the impact our operations may have on natural environments and on people near our projects. This includes any impacts on local communities’ health, safety and access to fresh water, food or income. Our standards help reduce any impact our operations may have in areas that are rich in biodiversity or under environmental protection. We work with conservation organisations to restore natural habitats and ecosystems close to our operations. We also support rigorous sustainability standards to help ensure that our biofuels come from sustainable sources.
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Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Our core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people underpin how we work. We promote inclusion, fairness and sustainability through our corporate governance structure, which is designed to support the responsibilities and commitments set out in the Shell General Business Principles. Through Shell’s own activities, including support for employee networks, and by collaborating with communities, we work to strengthen mechanisms that uphold human rights, the rule of law, accountability and transparency.
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Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
We collaborate and work in partnership in many areas, for example, to deliver more and cleaner energy and to help us reduce our environmental impact. We share our knowledge, experience and understanding of the energy system with policymakers. (See Environmental partners, Social partners).
