Selecting the topics that matter most - 2008

Once again we used a four-step selection process to pick the topics for inclusion in the printed Shell Sustainability Report 2008 - opens in new window: 

• STEP 1
  Ask readers what matters most to them, using surveys, interviews and media reviews. Also take account of topics that are important for society but attract less media attention.
• STEP 2
  Use our internal risk management systems to determine which environmental and social issues most affect our business strategy.
• STEP 3
  Combine the results. Allowing for legal restrictions, we include all the highest-priority topics in our report. Those at the next level of importance are covered on our website.
• STEP 4
  Check with stakeholders, and our External Review Committee, that our coverage of those topics is balanced and complete.

Our External Review Committee has helped us refine this process. The weightings used in Step 1 take more account of topics that are important for society but attract less media attention. This helps us get the right facts to include in our reporting.

Selection matrix

We map the identified topics into a matrix based upon their level of impact on society and their impact on Shell strategy. Impact on society reflects the topic's inclusion in the global media, reader surveys, our public policy, socially responsible investment reports and indices and website hits. Impact on Shell strategy reflects the topic against our strategy, and our risk and reputation management processes. If the topic is rated highly against both impact on society and impact on Shell strategy then it is a high-priority topic and is included in the Sustainability Report. If the topic does not rate so highly but is still significant to both society and Shell strategy then these topics are included on our website. Any topics that are rated low on both criteria are not reported.

Our selection matrix for topics that go in the report and those that go on this website.