Progress and Barriers In Relation To Sustainable Development in Shell (Case Study of Shell Nigeria)

Progress towards sustainable development places a significant repute on the multinational oil and gas industries as the society frequently express disapproval to their line of attitudes towards sustainability matters (Lyuba, 2004). Public consciousness is on the increase on the consequences on the communities and environment as a result of the operations of these companies. Oil and gas industry is a complex industry with a supply chain that often cuts across multiple geographies, working within cultures to meet the world’s energy demand. This energy is a source of heat, mobility, light, and communications for billions of people around the world (UNGCA, 2012). The concept of sustainability has been defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs” (WCED, 1987). To the perspective of oil and gas industries, sustainability should mean to meet the people’s need at a safe, low cost, and low environmental harms pending the availability of an appropriate alternative energy resource is put in place; and not to mean production sustenance of the energy source for indefinite time (Lyn, 2003). In a nut shell, the various competitive needs of human needs have to be balanced economically, socially and environmentally in the domain of sustainable development (Sustainable Development Commission, 2011; WCED, 1987). In other words, sustainable development can be seen by oil companies, firstly, in terms of concern on environment that results from the way and manner they operate. Their manner of industrial operations can lead to damages on the environment, for example, air, soil and water pollution, disruption of vegetation and wildlife, waste, and greenhouse harms. This environmental damage is the outcome of upstream activities, such as drilling in a dense biodiversity area, or downstream activities, such as refinery, where there are emissions and effluent discharges into air, ground or water (Frynas, 2009). Secondly, in terms of development which explains the big role private sector can play in poverty reduction and educational improvement through practices of social responsibility. Development is still an aspect of social problems which also includes health, human rights, safety, and issues relating to the harmful impacts of industrial activities on indigenous communities in developing countries (Jenkins, 2005). Innovations for alternative source of energy to reduce overdependence on the fossil fuels are also part of this development. Thirdly, in terms of governance which is divided into economic and political issues. In developing countries, exportation of natural resources can weaken their governance and political responsibility, and at the same time, brings about appreciation of currency exchange rate (Frynas, 2009; Sachs and Warner, 1999). Progress and barriers in relation to sustainable development in shell (Case Study of Shell Nigeria) Tsado, D.G, Auta, M, Adamu, M and Aderinola, M.A Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, GU2 7XH, Guildford UK. Department of Chemical Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, P.M.B 55, Bida. Niger State. Nigeria. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B, 65, Minna. Niger State. Nigeria.