Greenhouse gas emissions

The direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities we operate were 74 million tonnes on a CO2-equivalent basis in 2011, a decrease of around 3% from 2010.

The main reasons for this slight drop were divestments in our Downstream business and reduced flaring in Nigeria.

The indirect GHG emissions from the energy we purchased (electricity, heat and steam) were 10 million tonnes on a CO₂ equivalent basis in 2011, the same as in 2010.

As our business grows and production becomes more energy intensive, we expect the direct greenhouse gas (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 2011 direct and indirect GHG data from facilities we operate.

2010 direct GHG emissions data was updated from 75 to 76 million tonnes following recalculation of the data.

The new 2010 Base Year numbers in 2011 were 73 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

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 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.

Emissions by sector
Here we report the breakdown of our emissions by business sector for 2011. These are the direct emissions from all companies and joint ventures where we are the operator.

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.

* Includes mining and upgrading operations.

We report our greenhouse gas emissions in a way that is consistent with Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1.

Greenhouse gas (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.

Prior to 2009 our GHG data excluded emissions from transport and depots operated by our Downstream business, as well as some of our offices. During 2009 and early 2010 we quantified these exclusions and obtained limited assurance using some of the criteria of ISO 14064-1; a GHG specific international standard.

Assurance statement for operational control emissions

Details of the limited assurance statement of our direct and indirect inventory can be viewed here

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.