Environmental report design

We created an environmental report design for Shell that reflected their commitment to sustainable development, using a blend of rich earthy tones, vibrant environmental photography and dynamic data graphics to engage the audience and reinforce key messages.

Background

Companies with a strong commitment to sustainability often achieve greater long-term success than their competitors, particularly when it comes to maximising shareholder value. By prioritising sustainable practices, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and build stronger relationships with stakeholders.

Sustainable development plays a central role in the operations at Shell’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, where 12 million tonnes of crude oil are refined annually. The company recognises the importance of managing its environmental footprint and ensuring that its efforts are clearly communicated to a wide range of stakeholders, including customers, the local community, employees, shareholders and suppliers. Transparency in environmental impact is essential for maintaining trust, meeting regulatory requirements and reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible operations.

Challenge

Our goal was to produce an environmental report design that effectively communicated the company’s strict adherence to economic and social performance regulations, along with essential environmental data. The report needed to clearly present crucial statistics while demonstrating Shell’s commitment to responsible business practices.

For a report of this nature to be credible, it was vital to ensure transparency regarding the type of information being reported, as well as the methods used for data collection and the reasons behind it. Providing clarity in these areas would help build trust among stakeholders, reinforcing the company’s dedication to sustainability and compliance.

Solution

We took a meticulous approach to planning both the design style and content structure, ensuring that the environmental report delivered maximum impact. Every aspect of the design was carefully considered to create a report that was not only visually engaging but also highly functional in communicating Shell’s sustainability initiatives. By working within Shell’s corporate brand guidelines, we maintained consistency while presenting information in a fresh and compelling way. The use of well-organised layouts, intuitive typography and structured content helped establish a logical flow, making it easy for readers to navigate through the report and absorb essential information effortlessly.

To establish a strong and cohesive visual identity, we carefully selected an earthy colour palette, reinforcing themes of sustainability and environmental responsibility. This was complemented by bright, environment-focused photography that added vibrancy and authenticity to the report. Clear and well-structured data graphics ensured that complex information was presented in an accessible format, helping to break down statistics into digestible insights. The combination of these elements resulted in a striking yet effective environmental report design that successfully captured Shell’s commitment to sustainability while maintaining clarity and readability.

The design was deliberately clean and uncluttered, ensuring that the focus remained on the report’s core message without unnecessary distractions. By balancing imagery, colour and data presentation, we created an engaging and informative report that made technical environmental information easy to interpret. This thoughtful approach to visual storytelling helped reinforce Shell’s sustainability message while ensuring the document remained professional, credible and easy to engage with.

To align the physical production of the report with its sustainability values, we chose uncoated, recycled stock for printing, reinforcing the eco-conscious approach at every stage. Additionally, the inclusion of the Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Ltd validation logo on the back cover added an extra layer of credibility, providing assurance that the information presented was accurate, transparent and aligned with responsible environmental practices.