While the court agreed that the oil giant had an obligation to citizens to limit its emissions, BBC News reported on 12 November, the company won its case against climate campaigners Friends of the Earth, who raised the case three years ago while seeking to require Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45%.
The news followed the announcement that world leaders – including US president Joe Biden, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – would not attend climate change summit COP29 this week in Azerbaijan.
“'The idea that Shell has no standard of social care flies in the face of scientific and commercial common sense,” said Phil Korbel, co-founder and director for external relations at sustainability training provider Carbon Literacy, speaking to HR magazine.
Korbel added: “Companies that are stepping up to deliver net zero at the speed and scale demanded of them are thriving as they lower overheads, align with their customers’ values and stay ahead of the competition by attracting and retaining the best talent.
“This is the consistent message we receive from thousands of employers.”
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Employers have a responsibility to incite positive action around climate change, according to Jon Berry, managing director of B-Corp-certified environmental consultancy Tyler Grange.
Speaking to HR magazine, he said: “Along with all other B Corporation businesses, we’re committed to acting as a force for good.
“People and the planet should be of equal priority to profit, and not an afterthought or showcased for ‘greenwashing’ campaigns. It really is possible to find a balance. That's something we’re working towards all the time at Tyler Grange.
“Business can educate, encourage and incentivise positive action. More than this, they can enable it through partnerships, to make climate positive choices affordable and accessible to all.”
HR leaders can support employers to reduce carbon emissions through reporting and a dedicated environmental team, Berry added.
He continued: “All 80-plus Tyler Grange employees, working in our seven office locations, report on greenhouse gas operations across all three scopes.
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“We've created an in-house decarbonisation team to further support our emission reduction strategies. They’ve been tasked with reviewing Science Based Targets Initiative objectives to inform key performance indicators.
"We’ve also eliminated unnecessary business travel, as part of our four-day week efficiencies, which has brought about a significant reduction in our CO2 emissions from mileage."
HR professionals could also ensure that employers implement sustainable initiatives in the office and across their supply chain, Berry suggested.
Creating a sustainable business would particularly help attract younger generations, Scott Lane, founder and CEO of ESG and sustainability reporting company Speeki, told HR magazine.
He said: “We’re seeing a preference for green businesses among Gen Z. Given this generation is the future of the workforce, this is going to become an increasingly important issue for HR departments over the coming years.
"HR leaders can drive change. They can drive the behavioural adaptations that are needed to steer an employee base towards a more sustainable future."
