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While acknowledging the opposition by some to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥-Shell partnership, Malcolm Brinded, Executive Director, Shell Upstream International,Ìýhighlighted beneficial conservation outcomes from some of the 60 or so projects initiated underÌýthe collaboration.

Shell has been a partner with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ since 2007. The event held at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™s headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, was organized to foster a better understanding of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥-Shell partnership and provide a platform through which views could be exchanged.

The partnership with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ has led to the start of a North Sea decommissioning initiative and a project for a cross-sector strategic assessment of the Arctic region to eventually develop a regulation code, among other projects. Brinded said he hoped for Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™s cooperation in setting new biodiversity standards in the exploration of shale gas, which is seen by the industryÌýas a revolutionary and important source of energy for the future. He said he appreciated Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™s convening power to engage with parties that Shell has not been able to bring to the tableÌýand said that Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ÌýwasÌýhelping the company move ahead.

There were several questions from Council members expressing their concern and support for Shell’s operations. They wanted Shell to set standards from hydro-fracking to lending its weight to convince others to adopt a ‘no-go’ policy in World Heritage sites.

It is hoped thatÌýbalanced and constructive criticism from the councillors about the Shell-Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ partnership will ensure that the initiative stays on the right path.
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For more information contact:
Dennis Hosack, Programme Officer, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Business and Biodiversity Programme, [email protected]
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