What is greenwashing?
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The public image of an organization that distorts or exaggerates its actual practices.
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What is greenwashing?
The public image of an organization that distorts or exaggerates its actual practices.
What is the average life expectancy of a multinational corporation?
Between 40 and 50 years.
What did the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) uphold in 2007 against Shell?
A complaint regarding an advertisement that misleadingly claimed Shell used its waste carbon dioxide to grow flowers.
What significant merger occurred in 1907 involving Shell?
The British Shell Transport and Trading Company merged with the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company.
What was Shell's claim about its waste carbon dioxide?
That it was used to grow flowers, although only 0.325 percent of its emissions were utilized in this way.
What major global event led to a renewed demand for oil products after a period of depression?
The return of peace after the Second World War.
What did the WWF complain about regarding Shell's Athabasca Oil Sands Project?
That extracting low-grade bitumen from tar sands is highly inefficient and destroys large areas of virgin forest.
What is the term for the world's largest marketer of biofuels?
Giant
What is 'peak oil'?
The point at which the rate of extraction exceeds the discovery of new supplies.
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
An international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
How did Shell defend its oil sands project?
By stating that new technology was reducing pollution from the project.
What fossil fuel is considered the cleanest-burning?
Natural gas
What has been the trend in renewable energy investments during the global financial crisis?
Investments fell by about one-fifth in 2009 compared to the previous year.
What does 'corporate environmental responsibilities' refer to?
The obligations of a corporation to consider the environmental impacts of its operations and to act in a way that is sustainable.
What does 'Greenwash Award' refer to?
An award given to companies for misleading claims about their environmental practices.
What did the ASA rule regarding Shell's advertisement for its tar sands project?
That it breached rules on substantiation, truthfulness, and environmental claims, particularly regarding the use of the word 'sustainable'.
What type of energy includes wave, current, and tidal energy?
Other renewables
What does Shell's retreat from renewable energy investments indicate?
A global trend in the energy sector.
What is meant by 'sustainable development'?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is renewable energy?
Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar or wind power.
What was Shell's argument about CO2 emissions from oil sands compared to conventional oil?
That oil sands only produce 15 percent more CO2 than classic crude oil production.
What does 'strategic planning' refer to in the context of Shell's governance?
Strategic planning refers to the process of defining an organization's direction and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue this direction.
What is the term for the assessment of sustainability factors in companies?
Intangibles research
How many service stations does Shell operate worldwide?
58,000 service stations.
What does 'public relations exercise' imply?
An action taken primarily to improve the public image of an organization rather than to address substantive issues.
What does 'globalization' refer to in the context of corporate strategy?
The process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture.
What does GHG stand for?
Greenhouse Gas.
What is meant by 'environmental scanning'?
Environmental scanning is the process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about the external environment that can impact an organization.
What is the amount Shell invested in renewable energy from 2003-2008?
$1.7 billion
What does 'no-growth' represent in a business context?
A no-growth scenario represents a recessional future.
What are some of the products Shell is known for besides oil?
Gas and power, oil products, and chemicals.
What is 'GHG emissions'?
Greenhouse gas emissions, which are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.
What are 'joint ventures'?
Business arrangements in which two or more parties agree to pool their resources for a specific task.
What is the significance of Shell's investment in an ethanol refinery?
It reflects Shell's commitment to renewable energy and compliance with environmental regulations.
What are 'scenarios' in strategic planning?
Scenarios are hypothetical situations created to explore and prepare for possible future events and their implications for strategic decision-making.
What is the term for the projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions?
Social investment programmes
What was Shell's total revenue in 2008?
Over $458 billion.
What is the significance of the Chernobyl disaster in relation to Shell's scenarios?
The Chernobyl disaster highlighted acute environmental issues that Shell's scenarios paid special attention to.
What does 'win-win discourse' mean?
A narrative that suggests that environmental sustainability and business profitability can coexist and benefit each other.
What is meant by 'strategic planning'?
The process of defining a company's direction and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue this strategy.
What is the main focus of Shell's sustainability strategy?
To balance profitability with environmental protection and community benefits.
What does 'long-term strategic planning' involve?
Long-term strategic planning involves setting goals and defining strategies that will guide an organization over an extended period, often considering future uncertainties.
What did Shell plan to drop all new investment in?
Wind, solar, and hydrogen energy
What does 'geopolitics' refer to in the context of Shell's scenarios?
Geopolitics refers to the influence of geographical factors on international politics and relations, particularly relevant after the breakdown of the Soviet Union.
How many employees does Shell have globally?
About 102,000 people.
What are 'watchdog groups'?
Organizations that monitor the activities of corporations and governments to ensure accountability and transparency.
What does 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) entail?
A business model in which companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their operations and interactions with stakeholders.
What is photovoltaic energy?
Energy generated from sunlight using solar panels.
What does 'greenwashing' refer to?
The practice of companies misleadingly promoting their products as environmentally friendly.
What is the significance of 'forecasting' in business?
Forecasting is the process of predicting future trends based on historical data and analysis, which helps organizations make informed decisions.
What is the focus of Shell's remaining renewable energy investments?
Biofuels
What does 'self-regulation' mean in the context of environmental management?
Self-regulation refers to businesses managing their environmental impact through their own policies rather than external regulations.
What does 'competitive edge' refer to?
An advantage that a company has over its competitors, allowing it to generate greater sales or margins.
What is 'transparency' in corporate governance?
The practice of being open and honest about company operations and decisions, particularly regarding financial and non-financial information.
What does Shell aim to achieve with its investment in wind energy?
To become a world leader in the production of wind-powered energy.
What is the significance of the 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' in Shell's policy?
It serves as a reference for Shell to recognize its responsibility for human rights.
What does 'corporate governance' entail?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled, ensuring accountability and transparency.
What is the term for the projects Shell will maintain spending on?
Carbon capture and storage projects
What is the 'Brent Spar incident'?
The Brent Spar incident involved a controversial oil platform disposal that led to consumer boycotts against Shell in Europe.
What is a 'governance framework'?
A structure that outlines how an organization or sector is directed and controlled, including policies and regulations.
What does 'greenwashing' mean?
The practice of promoting an organization's products or policies as environmentally friendly when they are not.
What is the role of non-governmental organizations in Shell's strategy?
To partner with Shell in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainability.
What does 'bluewashing' mean?
The practice of companies claiming to support UN values while engaging in questionable practices.
What does 'market competition' mean?
Market competition refers to the rivalry among businesses to attract customers and gain market share, influencing pricing, quality, and innovation.
What did Greenpeace Executive Director John Sauven say about Shell's shift?
Rejoined the ranks of the dirtiest, most regressive corporations
What does 'energy security' imply?
Energy security implies the availability of reliable and affordable energy sources for a nation.
What does 'socially responsible practices' entail?
Business practices that consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of a company's operations.
What is the significance of 'human rights violations' in corporate contexts?
Actions by corporations that infringe upon the basic rights and freedoms of individuals, often leading to public backlash and legal consequences.
What does 'thin-film technology' refer to?
A type of solar technology that uses a thin layer of photovoltaic material to generate electricity.
What is Shell's catchphrase related to its ideology?
'Profits & Principles - Does there have to be a choice?'
What is meant by 'public pressure' in the context of corporate responsibility?
Public pressure refers to the influence exerted by society, consumers, and stakeholders on companies to act responsibly and address environmental and social issues.
What is meant by 'regulatory regime'?
A system of rules and regulations that govern the behavior of individuals and organizations within a specific sector.
What is meant by 'cross-border cooperation' in environmental policy?
Cross-border cooperation refers to collaborative efforts between nations to address shared environmental challenges.
What are 'stakeholders'?
Individuals or groups that have an interest in the decisions and activities of a company, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.
What is the role of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)?
To coordinate development in the Niger Delta region.
What does 'sustainable development' imply?
Sustainable development implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic, social, and environmental factors.
What does 'sustainable development' mean?
Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What does 'environmental reporting' involve?
The disclosure of a company's environmental performance and impacts, often included in sustainability reports.
What does Shell claim about its investments in Nigeria?
That 70 percent of its investments are classified as sustainable.
What is 'radical change' in the context of corporate strategy?
Radical change refers to significant transformations in a company's operations, strategies, or business models to adapt to new challenges or opportunities.
What is 'industrial pollution'?
Industrial pollution refers to the contamination of the environment resulting from industrial activities.
What are 'oil shocks'?
Sudden increases in oil prices that can significantly impact the economy and the oil industry.
What was Shell's contribution to the NDDC in 2004?
$68.9 million.
What does 'alternative energies' refer to?
Alternative energies refer to energy sources that are not based on fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, and hydrogen.
What is the main criticism from NGO groups regarding Shell's community development projects?
The selection and timeframe of the studies verifying the success of these projects.
What did Shell's capital expenditure on social development demonstrate?
Its concern with the impact of its operations on society.
What was the initial stance of Shell regarding climate change science?
Shell questioned the science behind claims of human contributions to global warming.
