Royal Dutch Shell plc
The relationship between Earthwatch and Shell Project Better World commenced in 1999 to give Shell staff the opportunity to join an Earthwatch research project and assist scientists in the collection of vital data which contributes to our understanding of the environment. Project Better World (PBW) was initiated and is co-ordinated by Shell employees to give staff the opportunity to build their awareness and understanding of sustainable development.
This relationship was built upon in 2008 when Earthwatch, Shell and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed a multifaceted strategic collaboration which will run until 2013. The collaboration focuses on researching rainforest biodiversity in the Danum Valley region of Malaysia, and will use the skills of Shell employees to develop business plans that will protect and enhance natural World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia.
Elements of the collaboration
Stakeholder Involvement
Since becoming an Earthwatch corporate partner in 1999, Shell has taken an active role in many bilateral activities, participating in the seminars and workshops organised by Earthwatch's Corporate Environmental Responsibility Group (CERG). Over the years the relationship has evolved and strengthened, with Earthwatch offering feedback and advice on Shell’s environmental reporting and publications.
Employee Engagement
Since 1999, the relationship between Earthwatch and Shell PBW has provided a hands-on educational experience for Shell employees. The personal and professional development opportunity increases their understanding of sustainable development issues in the context of Shell's operations and inspires the employees to promote the concept at work. At the same time, it provides a valuable resource to conservation, employing the skills and time of Shell employees on important environmental research projects worldwide.
In 2004, Earthwatch and PBW commissioned the Cambridge Programme for Industry (CPI) to review the first term of the Programme. The report highlighted enhanced confidence, leadership and team-building skills, a greater intercultural awareness and knowledge of sustainable development as results of participation on the programme. It also highlighted the need to align the programme more closely to Shell's strategic objectives and make it more relevant to staff in their day to day role. In order to achieve this PBW and Earthwatch have worked with Shell Learning to offer opportunities for wider professional development beyond the practical conservation experiences gained on the project itself. The Programme now incorporates pre and post-project learning packages focused on building employee leadership skills and enhancing their sustainable development knowledge.
The new Business Skills for World Heritage (collaboration between Earthwatch, Shell and UNESCO) will also see a number of Shell employees transferring their business planning skills to organisations that are responsible for managing World Heritage Sites. This knowledge sharing offers a personal development opportunity for Shell employees that will result in more effective management of some of the most valuable natural heritage on the planet.
Community Investment
One facet of Earthwatch’s collaboration with Shell is the involvement of local communities as well as wider networks in the research taking place in Danum Valley, Malaysia as part of our Capacity Building Programme. Each year a number of people whose work revolves around Malaysia’s rainforests and who would benefit from a deeper understanding of how this unique ecosystem functions are invited onto the project to work alongside Earthwatch scientists.
Following this a number of employees from natural World Heritage Sites from across Southeast Asia will be invited to join a team where they will learn about the research taking place but with mentoring from Shell employees will develop and implement effective business plans.
Environmental Research
Earthwatch’s collaboration with Shell will provide core funding for Earthwatch’s research project in Danum Valley, Malaysia for five years. The project is looking at Maintaining rainforest biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and conservation value in the face of climate and land use change.
This collaboration contributes to employing a number of research and support staff and to engage a number of Earthwatch teams on the project each year. The relationship also supports two local PhD candidates who will be working alongside Earthwatch Scientists as well as on their own independent projects.