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������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� will also continue to work with Shell on developing ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� knowledge products, including standards to identify ‘key biodiversity areas’ - the most important sites for biodiversity conservation worldwide.

New initiatives include exploring the concept of ‘Net Positive Impact’ on biodiversity and implementing pilot activities on sustainable biofuels. These aim to secure a more central place for science and wider participation of other businesses and organizations in decision making processes.

With the new agreement, signed on 20 December 2013, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� aims to engage with Shell on issues where it believes it can influence improvements in the company’s operational practices. ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� and Shell have agreed to pursue a targeted and focused approach aimed at facilitating specific gains for biodiversity and for those who depend on it for their survival.

“������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� remains committed to working alongside companies – including the high-impact ones – to address the way they affect biodiversity,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Director General. “We are learning with every engagement, making more specific and more substantive demands for change and requiring more from the companies we work with.”

“We have had a very constructive relationship with ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� for many years and welcome the renewal of our collaboration with them for the next four years,” says Peter Voser, Chief Executive Office of Royal Dutch Shell. “The new agreement aligns us with common goals related to important conservation themes.”

������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� and Shell have worked together since 1999. The collaboration has resulted in Shell becoming the first oil and gas company to make and sustain a public “no-go” commitment regarding natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Following ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��’s advice, Shell has also made modifications to the routing of pipelines off Sakhalin Island in the north Pacific to safeguard the habitat of the critically endangered Western Grey Whale.

For more information, please contact:

• Ewa Magiera, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Media Relations, +41 79 856 76 26, [email protected]
• Marina Teahon, Communications Support Officer, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Global Business & Biodiversity Programme +41 22 999 0288, [email protected]