The Energy Transition; let's go? The perspectives of Shell employees' on Shell's role in the energy transition

Abstract

This research paper focuses on the perceptions of Shell employees on its role in the energy transition. It deals with questions of sustainability and the energy transition within Shell, a major energy company. The main goal is to understand; what role Shell s sustainability practices take in the emerging energy transition discourse which is situated within an oil dependent society found in a time of an oil crisis. The research question: from the perspective of Shell employees what is Shell s role in the energy transition and to what extent is Shell relevant in this transition aims to understand the employees views on the energy transition. Through the use of ethnographic research methods namely, interviewing and participant observation the thesis reaches the conclusions that even though there is a variety of opinions and diversity within Shell its role and relevance in the energy transition is that of bridging a gap between supplying current energy needs and developing future energy technologies that will eventually lead to the disappearance of fossil fuels. The relevance of this thesis is identified through the need to complete not only technical but also social research in the field of energy, due to society s dependency on fossil fuel resources. This is where the anthropology of energy takes a central role because through ethnographic research the thesis delves into social considerations in the world of energy as energy plays such a crucial role in human existence.