Carbon compensation for fleets
Even with lower-carbon solutions, some CO₂ emissions from fleet operations are unavoidable. Carbon compensation helps provide a practical way to address these remaining emissions by supporting projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases.
Through Shell Fleet Solutions, businesses can access a global portfolio of independently verified projects that generate carbon credits, making it straightforward and cost-effective to compensate for unavoidable emissions.
How does carbon compensation with Shell work?
Fleets face many challenges when they seek to reduce their emissions. Whether you’re starting to explore alternative fuels or already operating electric vehicles, some CO2 emissions remain unavoidable. Carbon compensation can help address those emissions in a simple, transparent way.
Step 1: Opt-in and keep driving
Sign up through Shell Card to compensate for your fleet’s remaining emissions. Your drivers continue to refuel or recharge at Shell forecourts and partner stations as usual. Our network of 150kW ultra-fast and 50kW rapid charge points is extensive and growing, making recharging on the go simple and convenient.
Step 2: We calculate your emissions
Shell tracks your fleet’s overall fuel consumption and calculates the associated lifecycle CO₂ emissions.
Step 3: Emissions compensation
Shell purchases carbon credits equivalent to your fleet’s calculated emissions from a global portfolio of independently verified projects. These include nature-based solutions such as forest development and grassland preservation, designed to remove or reduce greenhouse gases.
Step 4: Receive your certificate
Each year, Shell issues a verified carbon reduction certificate confirming that the fuel has been compensated through carbon credits. Charges will be applied to your fleet’s account.
How carbon credits can benefit your fleet and business
Access a diverse portfolio
Benefit from projects designed to reduce or remove greenhouse gases, including nature-based solutions such as reforestation and grassland preservation, as well as technology-based initiatives like fuel-efficient cookstoves. Many projects also aim to deliver co-benefits for biodiversity and local communities.
Trust in high quality
All projects are independently verified to internationally recognised standards (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard) and undergo Shell’s enhanced due diligence processes, giving you confidence in the integrity of the carbon credits.
Leverage industry expertise
Shell brings over 20 years of experience in carbon markets and works actively in major emissions trading schemes worldwide, supported by a team of in-house experts.
Showcase corporate leadership
By compensating for unavoidable emissions, you demonstrate your commitment to reducing your fleet’s environmental impact.
Receive annual certification
You will receive an annual carbon credit retirement certificate confirming that credits equivalent to your fleet’s estimated emissions have been retired.
Shell’s nature-based projects
Shell collaborates with a range of carefully selected nature-based projects across the globe. These projects are designed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local communities, and protect biodiversity and wildlife.
To ensure the integrity of the carbon credits generated, all projects undergo rigorous third-party verification against internationally recognised standards and are registered through trusted processes.
Our portfolio includes initiatives such as forest conservation and grassland preservation, which aim to capture and store carbon while delivering co-benefits like improved biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
How can we help?
Carbon compensation FAQs
What is carbon compensation?
What is carbon compensation?
Carbon compensation means balancing calculated CO₂ emissions with actions intended to remove or avoid an equivalent amount of emissions. This is often achieved through the purchase and retirement of carbon credits generated by verified projects.
What is nature-based solutions?
What is nature-based solutions?
Nature-based solutions – also called natural climate solutions – include activities that protect or restore ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands to help lower greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These activities can avoid or reduce emissions and capture carbon in natural “carbon sinks” through processes like photosynthesis. They may also provide co-benefits such as reducing soil erosion, protecting wildlife habitats, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
What are carbon credits?
What are carbon credits?
A carbon credit represents the avoidance or removal of one tonne of CO₂. Credits are issued under internationally recognised standards and verified by independent third parties to ensure quality and integrity.
What is meant by ‘carbon compensated driving’?
What is meant by ‘carbon compensated driving’?
When Shell Card customers opt in, a small fee is applied to compensate for emissions associated with fuel use. Shell purchases carbon credits intended to offset emissions from the extraction, refining, distribution, and use of fuel. Customers receive an annual certificate confirming the retirement of carbon credits equivalent to their fleet’s estimated emissions.
What is offsetting?
What is offsetting?
Offsetting refers to compensating for CO₂ emissions generated during the lifecycle of fuel – from extraction through to combustion in the engine – by purchasing and retiring carbon credits.
How are emissions calculated?
How are emissions calculated?
Shell uses recognised methodologies, including DESNZ’s (Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s) greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors, as the basis for carbon calculations.
Can Shell Card customers compensate other purchases (e.g. services and road taxes) made on the card?
Can Shell Card customers compensate other purchases (e.g. services and road taxes) made on the card?
No, carbon compensation applies only to fuel purchases made with Shell Card. Other services or purchases cannot be offset through this programme.
Can Shell Card customers benefit from Shell GO+ Rewards and offset via Shell Card at the same time? (i.e. is there a risk of double counting?)
Can Shell Card customers benefit from Shell GO+ Rewards and offset via Shell Card at the same time? (i.e. is there a risk of double counting?)
No, Shell Card customers cannot combine this service with Shell GO+ Rewards offers. This ensures transparency and avoids double counting. Shell Card customers benefit from a dedicated compensation service with clear visibility of charges on invoices and receive an annual verified certificate.
