The overall accountability for sustainable development within Shell lies with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Executive Committee. They set priorities and standards in sustainable development that help shape our business activities. The CEO chairs the Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Performance (HSSE & SP) Executive, which shapes, drives and assesses how we manage our performance in these areas.
All employees and contractors working for Shell, including those at joint ventures we operate, are required to act in accordance with our mandatory HSSE & SP Control Framework. This defines standards and accountabilities at each level of the organisation, and sets out the processes and procedures that people should follow.
Our business managers are accountable for running our projects and facilities responsibly. They work with communities, NGOs, partners and others to better understand and address the impact of our operations. Our HSSE & SP specialists work with business managers to implement our standards, which help to improve our sustainability performance. We have comprehensive assurance processes in place to monitor compliance.
The Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee (CSRC) of the Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc reviews policies and performance with respect to the Shell General Business Principles, Code of Conduct, HSSE & SP standards and issues of public concern on behalf of the Board. Besides its regular meetings, the CSRC visits facilities to meet with local employees, contractors and external stakeholders to observe how Shell’s standards regarding HSSE & SP are being implemented in practice. During 2013, the Committee visited South Africa and Alaska, USA.