The PetrolPlaza audio version is presented to you by UNITI expo, the leading retail petroleum and car wash trade fair in Europe.

English Español Shell invests in nature as part of broad drive to tackle CO2 emissions

The global energy company will plant millions of trees and offer its customers nature-based carbon credits.



Last update:

Shell is launching programme to invest in natural ecosystems as part of its strategy to act on global climate change, including addressing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by customers when using its products. Shell plans to invest $300 million over the next three years.

This programme will contribute to Shell’s three-year target, beginning in 2019, to reduce its Net Carbon Footprint by 2% – 3%.

“There is no single solution to tackling climate change. A transformation of the global energy system is needed, from electricity generation to industry and transport,” said Ben van Beurden, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell.

From April 17th, customers who fill up at a Shell service station in the Netherlands will be able to drive carbon neutral through the use of nature-based carbon credits. This will be done at no extra cost for customers who choose Shell V-Power petrol or diesel, while those who fill up with regular Shell petrol or diesel can participate for an additional 1 cent a litre.

As one of the most established traders of carbon credits in the world, Shell buys these credits from a global portfolio of nature-based projects, including Cordillera Azul National Park Project in Peru, Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project in Indonesia and GreenTrees Reforestation Project in the USA. Each carbon credit is subject to a third-party verification process and represents the avoidance or removal of 1 tonne of CO2.

At the same time, Shell also plans to invest at scale in forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems around the world, to reduce emissions and capture more CO2 while benefitting biodiversity and local communities.

As a start, in the Netherlands, Shell and Staatsbosbeheer, the independent Dutch state forestry service, will plant more than 5 million trees over the next 12 years. They also signed a deal with Land Life Company to create a 300-hectare reforestation project in Spain. Around 300,000 trees will be planted in the Castilla y Leon region in 2019.

Related contents

Discuss