United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Together with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, they provide a framework for businesses to respect human rights.

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

The UNGC supports companies to do business responsibly by adhering to ten principles that cover human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. It also encourages companies to participate in advancing broader societal goals – such as those defined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

The OECD Guidelines detail responsible business conduct for the multinationals that operate in the OECD member states. Together they account for 85% of foreign direct investment. The Guidelines were updated in 2011. 

International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

Adopted in 1998, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work is an expression of commitment by governments, employers' and workers' organisations to uphold basic human values. 

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Statement of Principles and Agreed Actions 

This aims to increase the transparency of payments made by business to governments and government-related entities as well as transparency of revenues by those host-country governments.

Transparency International Business Principles on Countering Bribery (2002) 

This is a practical reference for companies to use in developing their own anti-bribery systems. The principles support initiatives such as the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, the ICC Rules of Conduct to Combat Extortion and Bribery, and the anti-bribery provisions of the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinationals.

Principles for Countering Bribery 

The principles were launched in 2004 by the World Economic Forum to help combat global corruption. In 2015, 139 companies support the principles and use them to implement anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices or to improve existing programmes. 

Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights 

The principles guide companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within an operating framework that respects fundamental human rights.

World Bank’s “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” Initiative

Shell has been an active member of the World Bank sponsored Global Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR) partnership since 2002. Through the GGFR partnership, the World Bank has developed a “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative that is designed to secure commitment from companies, governments and development organisations to end continuous flaring by 2030. 

Responsible tax principles

We endorse the Responsible Tax Principles set out by the B Team, a not-for-profit initiative formed by a group of global business leaders, and commit to implement them across our business over time. The Principles cover key areas such as tax management, interactions with authorities and other stakeholders and reporting.

Alliance to end plastic waste

Shell has joined the alliance to end plastic waste, an alliance of global companies from the plastics and consumer goods value chain to advance solutions to eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the ocean.

Methane guiding principles

In 2017, Shell and several other energy companies signed a set of non-binding Methane Guiding Principles (MGPs) that were developed collaboratively by a coalition of industry, international institutions, non-governmental organisations and academics. The MGPs focus on reducing methane emissions along the natural gas value chain, from production to the final consumer.

Building Responsibly Principles

Developed through the Building Responsibly business coalition, the 10 Principles establish a common, global baseline for the treatment of workers in the engineering and construction industry. Shell and several of our major contractors support the Principles, and intend to assess them against our practices and integrate them to contractor engagements.

Joint Industry human rights supply chain engagement

In 2018, Shell together with BP, Equinor and Total announced that we have agreed to join forces to create a collaborative approach to human rights supplier assessments in the energy industry.

More in Sustainability

Payments to governments

We are supporting transparency in the payments we make to governments and helping them to better manage oil and gas revenues.

Transparency and Anti-corruption

The Shell General Business Principles state our insistence on honesty, integrity and fairness in all aspects of our business. The direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation or acceptance of bribes is unacceptable.

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Human rights

We have the responsibility and are committed to respect human rights with a strong focus on communities, security, labour rights and supply chain conditions.

Our values

At Shell, we share a set of core values – honesty, integrity and respect for people – which underpin all the work we do. The Shell General Business Principles, Code of Conduct, and Ethics and Compliance Manual help everyone at Shell act in line with these values and comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Who we are

Find out about our business, people and how we are working to power progress together with more and cleaner energy solutions.