Business ethics: shell assignment

Nobody Is perfect, same goes for companies and their ethical codes, rather the caking of or ignorance of some, but we have to keep in mind that everyone can change. In this report we start with describing four different ethical issues revolving about Shell Global, Nigeria. Starting with the Human Rights, representing the fundamental rights that people have due to the fact that they are human beings. Backed by the Labor Laws, which contains information about the ethical thoughts and of course their corporate social responsibility.

Thirdly, the environment. Here we discuss how the natural environment can be considered as a stakeholder in relation with Shell working together with non-governmental organizations. Part of this section are also Sustainability and Climate Change. And finally, Anti-corruption, answering the question if Shell Global is corrupt or not. Following we will compare Shell Global to three other multinationals also established in Nigeria, this section is called Benchmarking.

As a company-wide document, the Code of Conduct does not provide detailed guidance about compliance with every local legal requirement in all of the many different countries in which we operate. As a Shell employee, you are responsible for compliance with the local laws and regulations in force which apply to your work from time to time, as well as with the Code. As the code of conduct of Shell consists out of 80 pages, we took a few principles which are relevant to our sub questions concerning: Human rights, labor law, environment and anti-corruption.

Human rights Conducting our activities in a manner that respects human rights as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core conventions of the International Labor Organization supports our license to operate. Shell’s approach to respecting human rights consists of several core elements, including adherence to corporate policies, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, regular dialogue and engagement with our stakeholders and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the general wellbeing of the communities within which we work.

Auditor; the Executive Vice President – Taxation; the Executive Vice President – Investor Relations; – Strategy & Planning; – Finance Trading; the Executive Vice President – Finance Operations; the Executive Vice Presidents – Finance of Upstream International, Upstream Americas, Downstream and Projects & Technology; any person or Job holder designated by the Chief Financial Officer (a register of such designated persons will be maintained by the Company Secretary).

All of the above are hereinafter referred to as “ COO Addressees”. Key Requirements Each COO Addressee shall: a. CT in accordance with the highest standards of honesty, integrity and fairness and expect the same in their relationships with others while maintaining a work and business climate fostering such standards; and b. Adhere to the SOBS, any applicable code of conduct on dealing in securities and any provisions for the avoidance of conflicts of interest stipulated in applicable terms and conditions of employment; and c. Excuse himself from making any decision about an issue at hand in which a conflict of interests arises or could arise and in such event, disclose in writing the elevate facts and explain the circumstances that create or could create the conflicts of interest to: (a) the chairman of the Audit Committee in the case of: (I) the Executive Directors of Royal Dutch Shell, (it) the Chief Financial Officer, (iii) the Chief Internal Auditor and (iv) the Executive Vice President Controller, and (b) to the Executive Vice President Controller, in the case of any other COO Addressee; and d. Void having any financial interest in works of or contracts awarded by a Shell company or a company associated with a Shell company, or in supplies effected or services rendered to or by such a company and where this is unavoidable or immediate family members have manner as set out in c. Above; and e. To seek or accept from third parties to his own advantage any favor in whatsoever form or howsoever described in connection with the business of any Shell company or his duties (except for the acceptance of such things as gifts of nominal value and working lunches, dinners and entertainment of reasonable value, frequency and duration, appropriate under the circumstances, and subject always to the standards of a. Above); and f. To hold positions or Jobs or engage in outside businesses or other interests that adversely impact the performance of duties owed to any Shell company or the interests of the same; and g. Avoid any relationship with a contractor or supplier that could compromise the ability to transact business on a professional, impartial and competitive basis or influence decisions to be made by any Shell company; and h. Consistent with the scope of his Job responsibilities, ensure full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in regulatory filings and in other public communications made by Royal Dutch Shell.

They argued that flaring creates significant local pollution and health problems, and is inherently wasteful of a resource which could bring income to local communities. International environmental groups also argue it is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with flaring in Nigeria perhaps the biggest source of emissions in Africa. The Benign court ruled that gas flaring amounts to “… A gross elation of [the plaintiffs’] fundamental right to human life and dignity… “, and that Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had broken national law by failing to carry out an environmental impact assessment.

By failing to stop flaring, as ordered by the court, campaigners now argue Shell is in contempt, and have initiated proceedings in the Federal Court. “ Since Judgment was passed, Shell has not halted her illegal activities,” said Minima Basses, of the Nigerian group Environmental Rights Action. “ We see a multinational corporation that has no respect for the rule of awe, but who at every turn loves to characterize local people as vandals and saboteurs. ” Earlier this month, an attack with explosives on an oil pipeline forced Shell to suspend extraction at two of its wells and delay shipments.

Shell Foundation initially got involved with the indoor air pollution issue in 2002, running nine pilots as part of its ‘ Breathing Space’ initiative in seven countries with various bodies, many of whom will be involved in the new push. One of the partners, Harris Handed, managing director of Sells India, an Indian social venture enterprise, says the programmer is ‘ a breath of fresh air’ because it’s based on trying to provide something of real value to its target group, rather than handing a product down to hem.

The fact that the stoves will be sold – at prices ranging from $20-$150 (Ell-EYE) – is important. The partners believe the commercial, rather than aid-driven, model will provide a more sustainable way of tackling indoor air pollution – because it relies on market mechanisms to guide product development and drive consumer demand, instead of aid agencies donating or subsidizing the sale of stoves. The Foundation hopes that by treating people as customers rather than aid recipients, the stoves will be seen by householders as high-quality, aspiration products. The only way we’re owing to make a significant long-term impact and achieve the scale needed is to get private sector thinking involved,’ argues Shell Foundation director Kurt Hoffman. Partners hope, then the return in human terms could be significant. (http:// www. Disfranchisement. Com/abstractive/cassettes/73) This is an example of Shell best practice because Shell investing money into research on how to reduce indoor pollution. This will help save many lives.