In my last blog post, I talked about the current situation with Shell and the continued criticism it has received from various groups and parties for its alleged human rights violations and environmental damage. At the end of our last discussion, I asked you if you thought Shell was to blame. Should Shell really be in the hot seat?
Let’s look at how they are involved as reported from CSRwire:
• Involved in 11 wind projects in North America and Europe that produce around 1,100 megawatts
• With Shell’s shares in the project at 50%, the company has stated it saves around 1 million tons of CO2 emissions a year compared to what coal-fired plants would release.
• Shell hired Business for Social Responsibility to develop a community engagement strategy in several of its wind projects in the U.S. This strategy identified stakeholders impacted by the projects, including community leaders, NGOs, government officials, and local residents. Meetings that were held between the company and stakeholders clarified community concerns that Shell is moving to address.
All of this is a start in the right direction, BSR talks about it perfectly that businesses have to create a road map for sustainable business. This road map navigates a trio of crises: global recession, constraints of natural resources, and loss of trust in the private sector.
Shell is starting down the right road again as it refocuses on investments in carbon capture and storage and biofuels that are less harmful to the environment. These newer technologies will take years to prove that they are environmentally friendly, but Shell is smart to invest in future technologies.
Creating greater transparency and building trust have always been strong components of sustainability. In the midst of the current economy, trust has to be there for consumers to continue to support and spend. In the presence of an environmental crisis, trust may be lost and not easily gained. Continuing to talk to impacted parties and stakeholders on what you can do as a company to reestablish this trust is critical, it’s the only way back on the road of recovery. And, of course, to stop publishing ads that claim environmental benefits that are overstretched are yet another part of the equation. Transparency is what it is about, the more transparent you are, the greater opportunity for you to connect on a higher level.
Perfection is never expected in the sustainability world, in fact, it is virtually impossible. Transparency, however, is expected.
Helping You Understand and Profit from Consumer Health and Green Trends
Colette Chandler
