ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS
Our global partners are the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), The Nature Conservancy, and Earthwatch. These collaborations bring important insights to our work and specific expertise to our projects in areas such as biodiversity, while advancing their scientific or conservation knowledge. We also collaborate with environmental organisations on local projects.
IUCN

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. Created in 1948, it harnesses the experience, resources and reach of more than 1,300 government and NGO members and some 16,000 experts.
Shell and IUCN have worked together since 1999 and participated in more than 50 joint projects. Shell’s focus has been on conserving and managing biodiversity in its operations and improving the way protected areas are managed, while IUCN has been able to trial innovative, science-based approaches, and engage with the energy sector to reduce potential negative impacts on biodiversity. For example, IUCN set up two Independent Scientific and Technical Advisory Panels as part of this collaboration: the IUCN Niger Delta Panel in Nigeria and the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) in Russia’s Far East.
In 2021, we collaborated with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other energy companies to develop guidelines for mitigating the impact of solar and wind projects on biodiversity. Also in 2021, IUCN held its World Conservation Congress. This included a CEO Summit attended by Shell’s Projects & Technology Director, Harry Brekelmans. Read his reflections on the event.
The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading global conservation organisation working to create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to address some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges. TNC works in more than 70 countries, has more than one million members and collaborates closely with partners to protect lands and waters for nature and people.
We have been working with The Nature Conservancy since 2009. For example, TNC helped us to develop a nature-based approach to control pipeline erosion in the Louisiana coastal zone in the US. Also, with our support, TNC launched an online tool to monitor migratory species in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, both areas where Shell has operations.
We are currently working with The Nature Conservancy to improve best practices and norms within the voluntary carbon market. This work is focused on maintaining a high level of integrity within carbon markets, while delivering on nature’s ability to mitigate climate change.
Earthwatch

The Earthwatch Institute is an international environmental charity with a global mission to inform and inspire people to take action through hands-on scientific research and conservation projects.
Since 1998, we have partnered with Earthwatch to offer Shell employees a chance to develop their sustainability leadership skills while making a direct contribution to scientific research and global conservation efforts, traditionally through volunteer programmes, the Earthwatch expeditions. These have not been possible since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions, so virtual programmes have been offered to Shell staff, while we have been working with Earthwatch to explore new experiential learning opportunities.
Earthwatch is also helping us to develop an internal engagement programme for our employees. The goal is to raise understanding of global environmental challenges and Shell’s Respecting Nature goal to help enable delivery of our commitments.
SOCIAL PARTNERS
In collaboration with international and local partners, we help tackle a range of social or human rights issues related to specific projects. These partnerships help us address specific issues in places where we operate – such as boosting local employment – or to implement projects that support local communities, such as improving road safety for school children.
Mercy Corps

Through our global strategic partnership with Mercy Corps, we help local people recover from crisis or build better lives and transform their communities, in a number of places where we operate. In Sichuan province, China, for example, we helped subsistence farmers to improve their farming practices - Read the story "Helping farmers in China's Sichuan Province".
Global Road Safety Partnership

We are a lead partner in the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), which aims to improve road safety by working together with government, non-governmental organisations and businesses. The partnership helps us to improve our own road safety community programmes.
We also work with them to improve road safety in cities and communities, including an initiative to help children travel safely to and from school. View the world map on top of the page to read about South Africa’s “Safe to School, Safe to Home” programme.
Read more about Global Road Safety Partnership on their site
Read more about the community road safety programmes we have implemented in Shell
Clean Cooking Alliance
RESOLVE

RESOLVE is a non-profit organisation providing solutions to environmental, social, and health challenges. Shell’s relationship with RESOLVE began after its integration with BG in 2016.
In 2012, RESOLVE and other leading companies agreed there was a need to have more open discussions about FPIC (free, prior, informed consent). FPIC is the right of indigenous people to give or withhold consent for a development.
Shell is an active member of the FPIC Solutions Dialogue steering committee. It is an initiative to develop practical guidance and to support FPIC community processes relating to mining and oil and gas projects.