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Greenhouse gas emissions
In 2013 we obtained limited assurance of our 2012 direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions data from facilities we operate.
The direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities we operate were 72 million tonnes on a CO2-equivalent basis in 2012, a decrease from 74 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2011.
The main reasons for this drop were reduced flaring in Nigeria and divestments in our Downstream business.
The indirect GHG emissions from the energy we purchased (electricity, heat and steam) were 9 million tonnes on a CO2-equivalent basis in 2012, a decrease from 2011.
As our business grows and production becomes more energy intensive, we expect the direct GHG emissions from facilities we operate to rise in the coming years.
Our focus is on the direct and indirect emissions of the companies and joint ventures where we are the operator. For information on the limitations of our GHG data see the About our GHG data tab.
We have achieved external verification of our 2012 direct and indirect GHG data from facilities we operate.
The 2010 Base Year numbers in 2012 were 70 million tonnes direct and 9 million tonnes energy indirect GHG emissions on a CO2 equivalent basis. Adjustments were made for our major installations in accordance with the requirements of ISO14064-1.
See About our GHG data tab for more details.
Download the Petroleum Industry Guidelines for Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Footnote: This new edition of the Petroleum Industry Guidelines of May 2011, (API, IPIECA, OGP) has revised chapters on organizational boundaries, references to scope 1,2 and 3 emissions and uncertainty.
Shell and the Carbon Disclosure Project
Read more about our approach to climate change in our public response to the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Download our response to the 2012 Carbon Disclosure Project
Visit the Carbon Disclosure Project website
Our 2013 Carbon Disclosure Project response will be available at the end of June 2013.
Emissions by scope
Below we report the direct (Scope 1) emissions that come from companies and joint ventures where we are the operator. We also report scope 2 emissions, the indirect emissions that come from the facilities of others when providing electricity or heat and steam to our operations. These are also reported based on facilities where we are the operator.
| Scope | Million tonnes |
|---|---|
| Direct (Scope 1) | 72 CO2 equivalent |
| Indirect (Scope 2) | 9 CO2 equivalent |
| Use of our refinery and natural gas products (Scope 3) | 580 CO2 |
Scope 3 emissions are those emissions that we estimate come from the use of our refinery and natural gas products. See a more detailed breakdown of our 2011 scope 3 (other indirect) emissions. The 2012 breakdown will be available at end June / early July.
Emissions by sector
Here we report the breakdown of our emissions by business sector for 2012. These are the direct emissions from all companies and joint ventures where we are the operator.
| Sector | Million tonnes CO2 equivalent |
|---|---|
| Downstream | 38.5 |
| Upstream | 30.6 |
| Shipping | 2.4 |
| TOTAL | 72 |
Emissions intensity
Emissions intensity is a measure of the amount of GHG produced for each unit of oil or gas produced by our upstream operations or refined by the downstream facilities we operate or control. It is the total amount of GHGs emitted (direct and indirect) per unit of output.
| Sector | Intensity Tonne CO2 equivalent / Tonne of production or throughput |
|---|---|
| Upstream (excluding oil sands) | 0.09 |
| Oil sands* | 0.51 |
| Chemicals | 0.54 |
| Refineries | 0.29 |
We report our GHG emissions in a way that is consistent with Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1.
GHG data can be reported on either an operational control or equity share basis. Within the oil industry there is a mix of reporting on an operational control or equity share basis.
Operational control emissions
Our primary focus is on the emissions from facilities we operate.
| Our 2012 GHG Assertion |
|---|
| 1. “The direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities we operate were 72 million tonnes on a CO2 equivalent basis in 2012.” 2. “The indirect GHG emissions from the energy we purchased (electricity, heat and steam) were 9 million tonnes on a CO2 equivalent basis in 2012.” 3. “The 2010 Base Year numbers in 2012 were 70 million tonnes direct and 9 million tonnes energy indirect GHG emissions on a CO2 equivalent basis.” 4. “40 million tonnes of the 2011 direct GHG emissions achieved reasonable assurance under a variety of regulatory and voluntary schemes.” |
Equity share emissions
The 2011 direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an equity share basis were 90 million tonnes on a CO2 equivalent basis, see attachment.
The 2012 data will be available at the end of June 2013.
Assurance statement for operational control emissions
Details of the limited assurance statement of our direct and indirect inventory can be viewed here