About our data

There are inherent limitations to the accuracy of environmental and social data. We recognise that our data will be affected by these limitations, so we continue to improve data integrity by strengthening our internal controls.

We provide all non-financial data in this report on a 100% basis for companies and joint ventures where we are the operator. Environmental data pertain to our direct operations 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. We refer to the number of people employed or contracted on a “full-time equivalent” basis.

Operations acquired or divested during 2017 are included only for the period in which we operated these assets. Other data are collected from external sources, staff surveys and other internal sources as indicated.

We only include data in this report that were confirmed by the end of March 2018. 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.

Assurance

We have clear standards and reporting requirements for our health, safety, security, environment and social performance (HSSE&SP) data.

Shell facilities are required to comply with these standards, which define management roles and responsibilities, the scope of data at facilities and how data are calculated and collected. These standards are part of our HSSE&SP Control Framework.

To ensure we provide accurate information, our data assurance process of HSSE&SP data is also a key element of the HSSE&SP Control Framework. The process flows from the facility all the way up to central group level. Some examples of what is controlled through this process are:

• self-assessments at the facility level;
• internal audits at all levels of the company;
• quarterly reviews and assessments of the data at all levels;
• an annual series of meetings between leaders at the group level and senior business managers to discuss outcomes and reporting parameters; and
• a formal sign-off by Shell’s senior country leaders

The Report Review Panel of independent experts helps to make sure our reporting is balanced, relevant and responsive to stakeholders’ interests.

Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd has provided limited assurance of our direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) data for 2017. Limited assurance means nothing has come to the auditor’s attention that would indicate that the GHG data and information as presented in the GHG Assertion were not materially correct. The assurance statements are available at shell.com.

Conversions into US and Canadian dollars are based on the average exchange rates for 2017.