LoginPage 3: Contributing to sustainable development
Shell looks to contribute to sustainable development in three closely interconnected ways, each of which relates to long-term investment in R&D.
1. Meeting the global energy challenge. This includes helping to:
- provide the extra energy required to sustain world economic development, including more oil and natural gas
- improve access to modern energy for the two billion people who currently live without it
- offer 'cleaner' products (e.g. low-sulphur petrol, GtL and diesel) and hydrogen products (hydrogen for new fuel cell vehicles)
- shift the world economy towards a low-carbon energy system by providing more natural gas (to replace coal), and by lowering the costs of alternatives like wind power, solar power, and biofuels (fuels from plants).
2. Working to improve the environmental performance of Shell operations: lowering emissions and impacts on biodiversity, and using less energy, water and other resources.
3.Acting to improve social performance: safeguarding employees' health and safety, reducing disruptions to communities, and creating lasting economic benefits e.g. by employing local people and using local contractors and suppliers.
All these actions have positive business benefits for Shell by reducing operational and financial risks, cutting costs through 'eco-efficiency', building closer relationships with customers, and helping the company to create new products to meet customers' needs.
