Absolute emissions progress
In 2022, our total combined Scope 1 and 2 absolute greenhouse gas emissions (from assets and activities under our operational control) were 58 million tonnes on a CO2 equivalent basis, a 15% reduction compared with 2021, and a 30% reduction compared with 2016, the reference year. Our direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) decreased from 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2021 to 51 million tonnes CO2e in 2022. This reduction was achieved through divestments in 2021 and 2022 (such as the Deer Park and Puget Sound refineries in the USA) and the handover of operations in OML 11 in Nigeria in 2022; shutdowns or conversion of existing assets, including the shutdown of some units at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore; greenhouse gas abatement projects and purchase of renewable electricity. These decreases were partly offset by the commissioning of Shell Polymers Monaca.
Our Annual Report and Accounts 2022 provides more details of how we reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. To date, we have not used carbon credits to achieve our Scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions changes from 2016 to 2021 and from 2021 to 2022
million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
[B] In addition to reductions from GHG abatement and energy efficiency projects, this category also includes reductions from permanent shutdown of Convent and Tabangao refineries and the impact of transformational activities at our Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore.
[C] Excludes 5.80 million tonnes of CO2 captured and sequestered by the Shell-operated Quest CCS facility in Canada in 2016-2021. Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from operating Quest are included in our total emissions.
[D] Excludes 0.97 million tonnes of CO2 captured and sequestered by the Shell-operated Quest CCS facility in Canada in 2022. Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from operating Quest are included in our total emissions.
[E] Of the 2,010 thousand tonnes of reduction activities and purchased renewable electricity in 2022, 80 thousand tonnes related to purchased renewable electricity.
[F] Change in output relates to changes in production levels, including those resulting from shutdowns and turnarounds as well as production from new facilities.
Methane emissions
Methane emissions are included in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions reporting. In 2022, we reduced total methane emissions from our operations by 27% to 40,000 tonnes, compared with 55,000 tonnes in 2021. Our target to keep methane emissions intensity below 0.2% was met in 2022 with Shell’s overall methane emissions intensity at 0.05% for facilities with marketing gas and 0.01% for facilities without marketing gas.
Routine flaring
In 2022, routine flaring from our upstream operations fell to 0.1 million tonnes of hydrocarbons from 0.2 million tonnes of hydrocarbons in the previous year. Our aim is to eliminate routine gas flaring from our upstream operations by 2025.
We undertake external verification of our greenhouse gas emissions annually. Our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from assets and activities under our operational control and emissions associated with the use of our energy products (Scope 3) included in our net carbon intensity have been verified to a level of limited assurance.
