Communities
We aim to be a good neighbour wherever we work, by contributing to the well-being of neighbouring communities. We work closely with them to manage the social impacts of our business activities, address any concerns about our operations, and enhance the benefits that we are able to bring.
We work closely with communities to understand their concerns and identify how to address them. We aim to avoid or reduce any adverse impacts and to manage those impacts that may be unavoidable.
By engaging openly with communities we are able to identify how and where we can bring sustainable benefits. We do this in many ways: by creating new jobs, encouraging local businesses to be a part of our supply chain, and providing useful skills training for people.
Access to energy
At Shell, we are able to use our core business skills and technical resources to play an active role in improving communities’ access to energy, particularly in regions where we work – such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
Our access to energy work aims to provide communities with safe, reliable, affordable energy which can spur economic development and improve healthcare, education and livelihoods. We have undertaken a number of energy access projects around the world totalling millions of dollars in investment. These projects include community lighting, power generation, and small-scale grid infrastructure projects.
Discover more about our global access to energy work
Local employment and enterprise
Shell contributes to local economic growth in countries where we operate.
We do this in a variety of ways: through direct employment, through our supply chain activities, by working with governments and partners to help create jobs, and by supporting the development of local businesses or suppliers.
Where needed, we offer additional training to improve the level of skills and technical know-how among a supplier’s workforce.
The Shell LiveWIRE programme helps young entrepreneurs start their own business and stimulate local economic growth in various countries.
Community health
Today, millions of people across the world are unable to access medical treatment. In some communities where we work, access to healthcare may be limited or inadequate.
To help address these challenges, we run various projects that provide access to adequate healthcare to communities, often in partnership with local non-governmental organisations or development bodies.
Education
Education can open the door to opportunities and help people build a better future.
We operate several projects across the world to give more people the chance of a good education to help them build a better future.
Shell Downstream South Africa – Social Investment
At Shell, we contribute skills and resources to society and community where we operate in order to provide a lasting benefit to the community and to Shell. These contributions take the form of financial assistance, in-kind donations, volunteering and sharing expertise. Our main focus areas in South Africa are Maths and Science Education, Youth Enterprise Development and Road Safety.
More in sustainability
What sustainability means at Shell
For Shell, sustainability means providing essential energy for a growing population, while respecting people, their safety and the environment.
Environment
Shell provides energy in a responsible way, helping the world move towards a future in which the energy used causes minimal impact on the planet.