Working with biodiversity experts

We work with and learn from more than 100 scientific and conservation organisations in 40 countries. This includes our global collaborative partnership agreements with major environmental organisations. We signed partnerships with the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2007, with Wetlands International in 2008 and with The Nature Conservancy in 2009.

The partnerships support increased biodiversity conservation in the energy sector and help businesses like ours collaborate more closely with biodiversity experts. Our work with partners includes activities in the Arctic, the North Sea, on biofuels, and on operational standards in wetlands.

Shell volunteers discuss taking part in Earthwatch’s global research and conservation projects for up to two weeks at a time: for example, carrying out climate change research at the Arctic’s edge. Shell works in partnership with global environmental organisations to improve its access to scientific expertise and support biodiversity conservation. For over 10 years, Shell has worked with international environmental charity Earthwatch to help its staff better understand critical sustainability challenges.

Since 2009, Shell has supported the Business Skills for World Heritage programme together with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Earthwatch. Under the programme Shell employees are partnered with UNESCO World Heritage site staff to improve their business skills and better manage natural areas.

Deric Quaile
Shell and IUCN Collaboration Implementation Manager
Shell employee seconded to IUCN

“With a degree in Forestry and a strong interest in biodiversity I was keen to become involved in Shell’s partnership with IUCN. I am a member of Shell’s global Health, Safety and Environment team and had been working on environmental performance improvement when I moved from the Netherlands to IUCN’s headquarters in Switzerland. 

As part of our collaboration I help IUCN professionals propose ways in which Shell can further reduce the impact of its operations on biodiversity. These have included using independent scientific panels to guide our operational decisions in environmentally sensitive areas – such as at our Sakhalin II project off the coast off Russia, which is home to endangered grey whales – and engaging in discussions with various interested parties, such as on the biofuels supply chain, the challenges of operating in the Arctic, and the potential consequences of the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill. 

My role also involves helping IUCN engage more widely with businesses from other industries. Working together so closely strengthens trust between our organisations and provides different perspectives to approaching our environmental challenges. I have learnt a great deal from the way in which people in the NGO world tend to think and, thanks to this, I better appreciate the value of dialogue before designing and delivering any project.”

Mikkel Kallesoe
Biodiversity and ecosystems advisor

“I have 10 years of practical experience working on environmental conservation with a range of businesses, policy makers, governments and non-governmental organisations. I joined the Sensitive Areas team at Shell from IUCN because I believe there is a strong business case for ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation and a need to improve communication and build trust between companies and NGOs.

One of my first tasks will be to set up and lead an ecosystems services working group. This will help Shell to assess its potential impact on ecosystems and identify how it relies on ecosystem services. The group will also explore the potential risks of ecosystem degradation and the opportunities of integrating an ecosystems approach into project design and impact assessment.

Ecosystems and their services, such as fresh water, food and erosion control, can have direct impact on business. Investing to protect this “natural capital” can present cost-effective solutions to, for example, flood and drought mitigation.

Working with Shell will allow me to gain a deeper insight and understanding of the decision-making process and how it is possible to align conservation and business goals.”