The three reports together further demonstrate Shell’s efforts to remain at the forefront of the drive for greater corporate transparency around activities that are important to investors, governments and civil society.
The 24th edition of the Shell Sustainability Report outlines Shell’s strategy to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society. The report describes Shell’s social, safety and environmental performance in 2020.
In his introduction to the report, Shell Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden writes:
“In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world and people’s lives in ways we could never have imagined. It was a tough year for everyone. It was a tough year for Shell, but also a year when we set a clear path for our future.
“We refreshed our business strategy and, when we announced it in February 2021, we called it Powering Progress. Powering Progress sets out our goals for powering lives and livelihoods, and respecting nature by protecting the environment. It lays out how we believe Shell can and must play a role as the world accelerates towards a future of zero- and lower-carbon energy.”
The Sustainability Report sets out Shell’s progress in the transition to a lower-carbon world and its contribution to society, which includes helping to achieve universal access to cleaner, affordable energy. The report also includes details of the Net Carbon Footprint* of energy products Shell sold each year from 2016 to 2020.
Shell also published its Industry Associations Climate Review. The report assesses 36 key industry associations’ climate-related policy and advocacy against Shell’s climate-related policy positions. It also provides a summary of how much we paid to these associations in 2020.
In addition, Shell published its 2020 Payments to Governments Report covering countries where it has exploration and production activities. This report details payments in 24 countries and is prepared in accordance with the UK’s The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 (as amended in December 2015).
