We are involved in the public policy debate on biodiversity. We continue to seek strategic and project-level relationships and partnerships to strengten our positive contribution to biodiversity conservation. To support global biodiversity conservation and reduce biodiversity impacts around our operations, we work with (and learn from) more than 100 scientific and conservation organisations in 40 countries.
Find out about some of our key relationships and recent work with others below:
Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP)
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earthwatch Europe
Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Joint Industry Programme (JIP)
Living Earth
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Pro-Natura International
Smithsonian Institution (SI)
The Energy and Biodiversity Initiative (EBI)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNESCO
Wetlands International (WI)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP)
Shell is an active participant in the Business and Biodiversity Offset Program (BBOP) - a partnership between companies, governments and conservation experts to explore how offsets might address biodiversity impacts.
BBOP is working on developing fit-for-purpose methodologies, toolkits and guidance to assist the establishment of biodiversity offsets. Other companies involved in BBOP include Alcoa, AngloAmerican, Dynatec, Newmont and Rio Tinto.
Shell is currently looking at the design and implementation of a significant offset in Qatar as part of the piloting process. There is now a commitment to develop the offset design and make a proposal to the senior management team by the end of 2007. More information on BBOP - opens in a new window.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Shell was an active participant in the Business and the 2010 Biodiversity Challenge meeting held in January 2005. Pursued through the Convention on Biological Diversity in support of its objectives, it aimed to develop ideas for engaging business in biodiversity issues, as a means of working towards the 2010 target to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss. (see Report on the Meeting - 
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/biodiv/b2010-01/official/b2010-01-03-en.pdf - opens in a new window). A follow up meeting was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil during November 2005. The report for this meeting is available at www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/biodiv/b2010-02/official/b2010-02-03-en.doc - opens in a new window.
Earthwatch Europe
Shell has worked with Earthwatch Europe since 1998, and is a member of the institute's Corporate Environmentally Responsibility Group. Employees also lead and participate in a joint initiative called 'Project Better World', that involves 45 Shell employees as research assistants on Earthwatch field research projects each year.
Fauna and Flora International (FFI)
Shell is working with FFI - opens in a new window, in a number of locations around the world on projects related to conservation, policy and education. For example:
- Flower Valley Project: Shell South Africa is working with FFI and the Flower Valley Conservation Trust (FVCT) to help conserve part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world's most botanically rich habitat. Read the Flower Valley Project case study .
- Shell is working with FFI in the Caspian region, where the Caspian Environment Programme have requested FFI to develop an integrated Caspian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
- Shell Philippines provided support to FFI and the University of the Philippines-Los Baños biodiversity conservation programme aimed at helping to reverse the destruction of Mindoros ecosystem. Shell Philippines and FFI have recently set-up a Mindoro Island Biodiversity Conservation Foundation to continue work from the first phase of the project.
- Shell China is working with FFI to run an Ecological Impact Assessment capacity building project in China with local Government institutions.
Joint Industry Programme (JIP)
Shell is a member of the Joint Industry Programme (JIP). Their "E & P Sound and Marine Life programme" - opens in a new window, focuses on sounds that are produced during the offshore exploration and production, the effects of such sounds on marine animals and the development, assessment and improvement of mitigation measures.
Living Earth
A Shell International programme has been developed with Living Earth - opens in a new window, in two Oil Products businesses in Uganda and Ghana entitled "Global Links". This programme builds partnership based community solutions with input from the private sector, government and civil society.
Other joint actions include:
- A process of developing a strategy for promoting community-corporate partnerships between SAPREF and local communities in the south Durban basin (South Africa). Particular attention is being paid to the ability of local community groups and NGOs to prioritise their concerns and to embark on innovative partnerships with the private sector locally.
- Accredited training of local government officers in the Niger Delta (Nigeria) to build the capacity of individuals from government, civil society and the private sector to implement and manage community development projects according to best practice.
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods in Bayelsa State (Nigeria) to (a) diversify the income base of target communities as a means of alleviating poverty and safeguarding ecological life support systems; (b) provide the opportunity for individuals and groups to learn skills and build capacity for the better management of natural resources and (c) increase understanding among stakeholders of the environment and development issues affecting communities.
Find out more about our work with Living Earth.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
In 1998, Shell Oil Company Foundation and the US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - opens in a new window, announced a multi-year partnership to fund natural resource conservation projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Through the Shell Marine Habitat Program, challenge grants are awarded to programs and projects that help protect, conserve or enhance the Gulf of Mexico's ecosystem.
Pro-Natura International
Shell International and Shell Nigeria (SPDC) sponsored a feasibility study for establishing a "Niger Delta Institute of Sustainable Development". This has been completed and Pro-Natura International - opens in a new window, is now in the process of setting this up to provide research and training in community development for SPDC and its host communities. The plan is to involve other shareholders and expand the concept to West Africa and beyond. Further information is available at www.pronatura-nigeria.org - opens in a new window.
Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Shell has been working with SI - opens in a new window, since 1995. SI is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading scientific institutions and it is respected for its independence, scientific-based approach to biodiversity studies and conservation and network of world-renowned experts and contacts. Further information on our past and current activities with SI has been prepared as a case study for IPIECA.
The Energy and Biodiversity Initiative (EBI)
As a member of The Energy & Biodiversity Initiative (EBI) – opens in a new window, Shell is involved in the generation and promotion of best practice for integrating biodiversity conservation into oil and gas development.
Find out more about our work with The EBI.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
TNC - opens in a new window, is the largest US conservation NGO, with a presence in each of the states and many countries where Shell is active. Recently rated as the most trusted non-profit US organisation, TNC has worked with Shell since 2001. In 2001 Shell Oil Foundation gave US$1 million to TNC for projects in the Laguna Madre, a shallow lagoon stretching from Texas into Mexico that is one of only five hypersaline estuaries in the world. Discussions between Shell projects and TNC chapters have also taken place (e.g. Gulf of Mexico, the Rockies, Alaska) and Shell worked with TNC on the Energy and Biodiversity Initiative - opens in a new window.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)
The NCC - opens in a new window, is Canada's only national charity dedicated to preserving ecologically significant areas through outright purchase. For over 40 years, the NCC has protected some of Canada's most threatened natural habitats and the endangered species that call them home.
Shell's relationship with NCC stretches back over 20 years. Shell Canada has donated millions of dollars in land, financial resources and mineral rights to acquire and protect important habitats across Canada and set aside important habitats, which are known to be unique and / or biologically diverse.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
IUCN - opens in a new window is the world’s largest and most important conservation network, bringing together 82 States, 111 government agencies, more than 800 NGOs, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries.
During the past 6 years, Shell and IUCN have developed a strong working relationship, based around two-way staff secondments and a number of joint initiatives at both country and project level, including work to protect whales at Sakhalin Island.
IUCN and Shell also began working in 2006 to explore potential new models and market-based mechanisms to conserve biodiversity under a programme called Building Biodiversity Business. By systematically examining constraints and opportunities for creating biodiversity businesses in different sectors, the study identifies the critical success factors - policy, technical and financial support - that could deliver a viable market-based approach to complement existing expenditure on biodiversity conservation. For more information download the draft report, Building Biodiversity Business: Report of a Scoping Study (pdf, size 2.3Mb) - opens in a new window. The final report is due in mid-2007.
We have contributed to the wider policy debate on protected areas through participation in the 2004 ‘Speaking a Common Language’ research project. The project provided a review on the progress of implementing the IUCN protected area management categories system, and provided recommendations for the system's refinement and development. The research project has now finished and we are working with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas to further these recommendations. The findings were presented to the World Commission on Protected Areas. Visit the IUNC website - opens in a new window to discover more.
Shell has benefited from IUCN expertise and convening power, the provision of technical guidance for specific operations, development of management tools, and as a barometer to gauge latest conservation thinking, particularly around protected areas. IUCN has gained a better understanding of business and how it operates, benefited from sharing of business skills at its Asia regional office and in bringing its biodiversity conservation mission to the private sector.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - opens in a new window, and the World Resources Institute (WRI) are exploring the development of a joint work plan to assist the financial services sector to better understand the complex risks and emerging opportunities associated with biodiversity and ecosystem services. Alongside other corporations and financial institutions, Shell is helping to identify and validate priority areas for the work plan. UNEP FI is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector, involving more than 160 institutions including banks, insurers and fund managers. These institutions are working with UNEP to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance.
Shell has been providing the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) with technical advice and financial support on its Proteus Project. This is designed to create a decentralised, user-friendly, up-to-date system for storing, managing and reporting on trends for all the world's protected areas. See the Proteus home page - opens in a new window for further information.
UNESCO
Under the auspices of UNESCO's "Enhancing our Heritage" programme, Shell International, The Shell Foundation and the University of Queensland have been working with a number of natural World Heritage Sites (WHS) on the development of their business planning and management skills.
Experienced Shell Group managers are helping organisations including the Seychelles Island Foundation, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines to prepare their own three-year business plans. A generic Business Planning Toolkit is also being developed for use by the conservation sector and managers of protected areas.
Wetlands International (WI)
WI - opens in a new window, is the only global NGO dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands. It is a not-for-profit organisation, supported by governments, NGOs, corporations, extensive specialist networks and individuals worldwide. Shell and WI are collaborating on a wetland conservation and public awareness programme in China, a wetland education programme in Malaysia and verification of the Biodiversity Action Plan implementation process in Nigeria.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Shell is working closely with WWF national offices in a number of countries and on a variety of projects:
- Tungog Rainforest Eco-Camp Project (Malaysia): What started more than 8 years ago as a conservation and economic development project between WWF Malaysia and the then isolated and poor rural community of Batu Puteh, Kinabatangan, is now being completed by a funding partnership of Shell Malaysia, Raleigh International and WWF.
- Danum Valley Conservation Area Management Plan (Malaysia): Shell Malaysia has contributed about US$65,000 towards the Danum Valley Conservation Area Management Plan, which will focus on the conservation of the orang-utan, Borneo pygmy elephant and Sumatran rhino. Partners to the projects are WWF Malaysia, Yayasan Sabah and Royal Society Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Programme.
- Mangrove Forest Conservation (Pakistan): Shell Pakistan is partnering with WWF-Pakistan in the conservation of mangrove ecosystems / forest in the Indus Basin area. Mangrove ecosystems are of great ecological and economic significance, but they have been facing continuous stress from domestic and developmental pressures. It is expected that approximately 150 ha of degraded mangrove areas will be rehabilitated and that the local community, by improving their socio-economic condition and by raising awareness, will adapt their mangrove harvesting practices to a sustainable level. Read the case study.
- Forest Conservation (Pakistan): The project between Shell Pakistan, WWF Pakistan; UNDP; local NGO (SUNGI) and local communities involves forest conservation in the Ayubia National Park, which is one of the few remaining moist temperate forests left in Pakistan - a country with a shrinking 4% forest cover. It is being cut down at an unsustainable rate due to the dependence of the local population on its resources for firewood, fodder and timber for construction. Through subsiding of the equipment costs for using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), in partnership with a local NGO the programme is attempting to provide and encourage the local uptake of LPG as an alternative to the consumption of firewood.
- Irrawaddy Dolphin Research (Philippines): This project involves Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), WWF and Philipinas Shell Foundation in research on the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin which has been sighted in Malampaya Sound to determine whether it is feasible to preserve these estuarine mammals (whose numbers have not yet been quantified) and by what means this might be accomplished. Read the Malampaya Sound case study.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Shell is a core member of the WBCSD's Sustaining Ecosystems Initiative - opens in a new window - and Ecosystems Champions Group. WBCSD has recently agreed on developing ecosystems as one their 4 key focus areas. Shell will be an active member of this new focus area.
→ Shell Sustainability Report 2006
Visit the online Shell Sustainability Report 2006 and discover what we say about biodiversity - opens in a new window.