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Shell hopes report will appease critics

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Royal Dutch/Shell, one of the world's biggest oil and gas groups, yesterday unveiled its first social responsibility report in a bid to answer intense criticism of its 'insensitive' approach to the environment.

In what is thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, the report Profits and Principles - Does There have to be a Choice? said it aimed to weigh the performance of the group against its statement of general business principles, which set out ethical guidelines for its 105,000 employees.

It revealed 23 Shell staff had been caught and sacked for soliciting or accepting bribes, and it had cancelled 95 contracts because the contractors they were planning to employ did not meet its statement of general principles.

The group rule is clear - 'any bribery and you're out', the report said.

The 56-page report, to be produced annually, said Shell was committed to spending US$500 million over five years on developing a renewable energy business, and that by the end of next year all Shell companies would have systems to check performance on health, safety and the environment.

The company said it wanted to open permanent channels for feedback, and wanted suggestions from the public and pressure groups on how it could deal with dilemmas it faced such as 'bribery, double standards, and balancing profit for shareholders against spending on community projects'.

Shell chairman of the committee of managing directors, Cor Herkstroter, said the pioneering report was much more than just 'sober facts and figures'.

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