Accelerate to Zero: Decarbonisation & Sustainability solutions

_{¹ “Carbon neutral” indicates that Shell engaged in a transaction where an amount of CO₂ equivalent to the CO₂e amount associated with the raw material extraction, transport, production, distribution and usage of the fuels has been avoided as emissions through the protection of natural ecosystems or removed from the atmosphere through a nature-based process.}

_{“CO₂e (CO₂ equivalent) refers to CO₂, CH₄, N₂O.}

Reduce your company’s carbon footprint with sustainable fleet management

For modern businesses, it is more important than ever to prioritize sustainable fleet management and strive towards net zero carbon emissions. Reducing your carbon footprint can help to protect the environment, but it will also help you to attract climate-conscious customers and live up to sustainability obligations. However, success in this area may also depend on working with the right business partners and actually investing in decarbonization efforts.

This is where Shell's Accelerate to Zero program comes in. Our range of sustainability solutions is designed to assist you in your efforts to cut carbon emissions and operate a more sustainable fleet. A crucial part of this program involves offsetting the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of our customers through a variety of nature-based projects.

Why is decarbonization important?

Before exploring Shell's sustainability solutions in more depth, it is worth taking the time to briefly examine the concept of decarbonization. So, why is decarbonization important, and how can it help your business to become more sustainable?

In simple terms, decarbonization is the process of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is sent into the atmosphere. This is important because the presence of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases within the Earth's atmosphere is contributing to climate change and global warming. Many businesses have committed to reducing their carbon footprint in the short term, with a longer-term aim of building a zero-carbon future.

Businesses that invest time and effort into decarbonization have the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in the fight against climate change while simultaneously building a more sustainable long-term future.

Carbon offsetting

One of the main ways in which decarbonization is actually achieved within fleet-operating businesses is through a process called carbon offsetting, where the business' total CO₂ emissions are calculated, and then funding is provided to remove an equivalent amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere. This then compensates for the business' emissions.

Carbon offsetting plays a vital role in the decarbonization of many industries and can be especially valuable when it comes to decarbonizing a fleet of vehicles. In general, when it comes to decarbonization, businesses are encouraged to measure their carbon footprint, take appropriate steps to reduce emissions where they can, and then offset any emissions that are not able to be reduced. Carbon offsetting is, therefore, a key part of efforts to Accelerate to Zero.

Shell sustainability solutions

At Shell, our approach to sustainability is not only focused internally but externally too, as we aim to Accelerate to Zero and shape a more sustainable energy future. The sustainability solutions we provide for our business customers help to emphasize this commitment. In particular, our solutions include carbon offsetting, using carbon credits to fund a variety of nature-based solutions that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The sections below will provide more detail on what carbon credits are and how they work, and we will also offer some insights into the kind of nature-based solutions that Shell funds to offset the carbon emissions of our customers.

Carbon credits

Carbon credits can be thought of as a kind of certificate, representing permission to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide because an equivalent amount has either been kept out of the Earth's atmosphere or removed from it. A single carbon credit represents the avoidance or removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide.

Shell empowers business customers to offset their carbon emissions. Customers who make use of our prepaid fuel card for refueling are able to enroll in this program. We will then calculate your fuel consumption across your fleet, use this to calculate your total CO₂ emissions on a well-to-wheel basis and purchase the equivalent amount of carbon credits. Certificates are issued, indicating that the CO₂ has been offset through nature-based solutions.

You can learn more about carbon credits and how they work on our carbon credits page.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions are a broad range of activities that are designed to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases within the Earth's atmosphere. Sometimes described as natural climate solutions, these activities will often involve taking steps to minimize the amount of carbon dioxide that actually enters the atmosphere. One of the ways this can be achieved is through photosynthesis, where plants utilize carbon dioxide, sunlight, and water to create energy.

Many nature-based solutions are focused on protecting the natural world and its ecosystems. This can include taking steps to plant new trees, protect forests and grasslands, look after wetland systems, and re-develop nature parks. In addition to reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that end up in the atmosphere, these various activities also have the potential to protect wildlife, prevent damage to areas of natural beauty, and create more sustainable products.

Achieving sustainable fleet management

Today, the pressure placed on businesses to make their operations as sustainable as possible is greater than ever before. Historically, companies operating a fleet of vehicles have faced some significant challenges in this area. After all, the majority of vehicles still utilize internal combustion engines that produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct, and this means the vehicles are directly contributing to the problem of climate change.

Fortunately, actually achieving sustainable fleet management has become a more realistic prospect over recent times, with the emergence of more sustainable fuels and the rise of carbon offsetting projects. At Shell, we are passionate about helping our business customers to Accelerate to Zero and operate a carbon-neutral fleet.

Carbon neutral driving

When it comes to sustainable fleet management, one of the biggest targets many businesses set is to achieve carbon neutrality when it comes to driving. At Shell, we can help you to Accelerate to Zero and achieve this carbon-neutral driving status through carbon offsetting, based on the amount of CO₂ that is actually emitted by your fleet.

The process for carbon-neutral driving is as follows:

• You make the decision to offset the carbon dioxide emissions of your fleet and agree to pay a small fee
• Your business makes use of the Shell Fleet Prepaid Card for your refueling needs
• Shell monitors your fuel consumption and calculates the total well-to-wheel carbon emissions
• We then purchase the number of carbon credits that are equal to your fleet's total emissions
• Carbon emissions are offset through Shell's various nature-based solutions
• You are able to claim carbon-neutral driving status for your fleet of vehicles

It should be noted that businesses can only claim carbon-neutral driving status if all refueling is handled using the Shell Fleet Prepaid Card. This is because Shell cannot accurately measure fuel consumption through other methods, calculate the total CO₂ emissions associated with the fleet, and then offset the emissions at the necessary rate.

Shell fuel credit card

Shell Fleet Prepaid is a prepaid fuel card solution, which is critical to the Accelerate to Zero program. Using this service, you can allocate cards to your drivers, pay for fuel at Shell retail locations, track all transactions, manage your fuel expenses, and set restrictions so that cards are only used to purchase the products and services you want.

The card provides a number of significant security benefits and allows businesses to act quickly in the event of fuel fraud being detected. However, this comprehensive solution also empowers you to Accelerate to Zero and offset your carbon dioxide emissions so that you can operate a more sustainable business.

Shell Fleet Prepaid customers are able to pay a small fee in exchange for participating in the carbon-offsetting scheme. Once you commit to this, we handle the rest. This involves monitoring your fuel consumption, calculating your total emissions, and purchasing an equivalent number of carbon credits. Your emissions are then offset, and you automatically contribute to a variety of nature-based solutions that help to protect the environment and our future.

External Sources:

https://www2.deloitte.com/nl/nl/pages/energy-resources-industrials/articles/what-is-decarbonisation.html

https://carboncredits.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-carbon-credits/

https://www.climateimpact.com/business-solutions/carbon-offsetting/

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/photosynthesis/