The global energy system is changing largely because of two factors. A growing population with rising living standards needs more energy. At the same time, the world is seeking to address climate change by making the energy it uses cleaner, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

For Shell, these factors are equally important. The combination of more and cleaner energy is central to what Shell does today – and plans to do tomorrow. It is reflected in our purpose: to power progress together by providing more and cleaner energy. It is not a question of one or the other, we want to provide both.

One of the ways Shell does this is through technology. Shell is built on 125 years of technological innovation. Technology helps Shell to play its part in addressing climate change – and has been crucial in our response to unexpected global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over recent decades, Shell has developed four vehicles to foster innovation. These innovation vehicles are Shell Research Alliance, Shell GameChanger, Shell Ventures and Shell TechWorks. These vehicles combine the entrepreneurial spirit of learning from each other, adapting existing technologies and creating new ones.

Through Shell Research Alliance, we work with leading academics and scientists on research and development. In today’s competitive business environment, cross-sector collaboration can drive faster ideation and innovation by integrating knowledge and resources from non-traditional partners in academia, government and other research institutions to address the world’s key technology challenges. We learn from their expertise, and we give them the chance to apply their work in the real world, such as in our operations. In 2019 alone, we embarked on 223 research and development projects world-wide.

We also work with early-stage start-ups through Shell GameChanger. The Shell GameChanger program works with start-ups and businesses on unproven early-stage ideas with the potential to impact the future of energy. We provide companies with support, expertise and seed funding, while they maintain the independence to make their own decisions.

We also invest in more mature start-ups and enterprises through Shell Ventures. Shell Ventures aims to accelerate the energy and mobility transformation by investing in companies that lower emissions, electrify our energy system, help us gain data-based insights and provide innovative consumer solutions.

Another program, Shell TechWorks, focuses on rapidly identifying, de-risking, and developing new technologies across the business. Our diverse group of technical experts and entrepreneurial business leaders from outside Oil & Gas help Shell find the right solutions to the right problems.

These innovation vehicles, projects and more show the key role of technology in providing more and cleaner energy. Technology is vital as Shell works to turn the challenges of today into the opportunities of tomorrow.