Shell at Websummit 2021
In November Shell CEO, Ben van Beurden was back at Web Summit, where innovators and disruptors find solutions to some of the world's biggest problems.
The energy transition will be the single largest technological revolution of this era and technology will continue to transform lives and the energy industry, helping Shell and society accelerate the transition to net zero.
Watch the interview with the Atlantic’s Nicholas Thompson where Ben talks about how we are using technology and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Shell.
Shell WebSummit 2021
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Shell WebSummit 2021
Duration: 03:11
Description: Shell WebSummit 2021 – Ben van Beurden transcript
[Video footage]
Ben walks into shot, full frame.
[Text displays – name strap]
Ben van Beurden
Shell CEO
Ben in vision:
Hello, I'm Ben van Beurden, CEO of Shell. It's not the first time I attend the Web Summit, but I quite like coming back.
[Video footage]
Cuts to footage of Ben on stage.
Ben voice-over:
I like the vibe here, but also the energy transition that we are in is all about technology and innovation.
Ben in vision:
And this is where great minds come together to find solutions to the world's biggest problems.
[Video footage]
Cuts to page with montage footage of summit.
Ben voice-over:
And that's why we need to be here as well.
Ben in vision:
Innovation has been our heritage for more than a century, whether this is all about making new products, better products, applying technology or tech at scale, we are a company of firsts. We are disruptors at scale. We are announcing today $1.4 billion of investments in new companies developing technology for the energy transition.
[Video footage]
Tech footage appears in windows to the side of Ben.
Ben in vision:
While companies like Shell use digital technologies at scale in all aspects of our operations, whether it is finding oil in very complicated geological settings, or whether it is in the new technologies; power to link devices together, to giant batteries or virtual power plants…
[Video footage]
Cuts to footage of power cables and vehicle chargers.
Ben in vision:
… or dealing with customers, literally every aspect of our value chain, AI and technology plays a major role these days.
Companies like Microsoft, Amazon or Google are of course also companies with significant carbon footprints, but they're also progressive companies, companies that we work with strategically to help them address their emissions…
[Video footage]
Footage of alternative power supplies and fuel appear in windows next to Ben.
Ben in vision:
… with either cleaner power, clean hydrogen, cleaner transportation fuels, and not just in the locations where we operate or they operate. We can do this globally.
[Video footage]
Cuts to footage of Ben on stage.
Ben in vision:
Well of course the critical debate in society and activism also affects our company and me personally. But don't get me wrong, I do believe there is a positive role for activism in that it mobilises society. With it, it mobilises politicians, and of course it also mobilises companies like ourselves. But we should be careful that it doesn't derail and become counterproductive…
[Video footage]
Cuts to footage of Ben on stage.
Ben voice-over:
… where people are against any solution or where the narrative is so simplistic that it cannot be meaningful anymore.
Ben in vision:
But, of course, it also affects me personally. I'm very passionate about the energy transition. I'm very passionate to be on the right side of history, as a father of four and as an energy professional for 38 years. So yes, absolutely, this is a personal matter for me and I want to be respected by my children also when we jointly look back on the achievements of our company.
Okay, let me end with a couple of questions that are often asked on Google.
[Video footage]
Cuts to screen of Google search bar as questions are being typed.
[Text displays]
How can Shell pay its dividend?
Ben voice-over:
How can Shell help pay its dividend? From the absolutely world-leading cash flow performance that we have.
[Video footage]
Cuts back to Ben before cutting to the next question.
[Text displays]
Will Shell survive?
Ben voice-over:
Will Shell survive?
Ben in vision:
Yes, absolutely. By focusing on our mission to power progress by delivering more and cleaner energy solutions. The world needs to get to net zero. Our customers therefore need to get in net zero. And we will help them get to net zero purposefully and profitably. The energy transition is not a threat for us. It's the single biggest opportunity in the history of our company.
[End board with Shell logo]
#PoweringProgress
