Shell and the Smithsonian Institution (SI) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding in June 2000, under which the SI is assessing the impact of Shell operations on areas of high biodiversity value.
The first joint project in the Gamba complex in Gabon follows extensive national and international consultation including feedback from a stakeholder workshop held in November 2000. The main objectives are to:
- Increase knowledge of biodiversity through research, assessment and monitoring.
- Increase in-country capacity through technical training in established protocols.
- Disseminate scientific information to different audiences.
- Advance conservation and sustainable development through partnerships with local stakeholders, scientists and industry.
To date, more than a dozen Gabonese scientists have participated in training sessions at a new biodiversity laboratory and the total number of species identified by the study is close to 1,000. The next phase will focus on detailed biodiversity assessments at different sites in the complex. For more information, visit www.shellfoundation.org.
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