Political engagement
Shell engages governments, regulators and policymakers to help shape comprehensive and effective policy, legislation and regulation. We advocate our positions on matters which affect us, our employees, customers, shareholders or local communities, in accordance with our values and the Shell General Business Principles.
We provide our statement on corporate political engagement and positions on key public issues on our website www.shell.com/advocacy. Shell senior executives endorse our advocacy priorities annually.
We also advocate to political stakeholders indirectly, for example, through industry associations or advocacy coalitions. Our Industry Associations Climate Review 2021 assesses our alignment with key industry associations on Shell’s climate-related policy positions.
Examples of our advocacy in practice are support for the European Union’s (EU) target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and advocating a return to the direct regulation of methane emissions under the Clean Air Act in the USA.
Shell companies do not make payments to political parties, organisations or their representatives. Shell employees, suppliers or contractors acting on behalf of Shell must not use Shell funds or resources, either directly or indirectly, to help fund political campaigns, political parties, political candidates, or anyone associated with them. Political payments or in-kind contributions must never be made by or on behalf of Shell companies or by industry associations with Shell funds.
In the USA, Shell Oil Company administers the non-partisan Shell Oil Company Employees’ Political Awareness Committee (SEPAC), a political action committee registered with the US Federal Election Commission. Eligible employees may make voluntary personal contributions to the SEPAC. All employees’ contributions comply with federal and state law and are publicly reported in accordance with US election laws. Shell Oil Company does not exercise control over SEPAC’s funding decisions.
In accordance with the Shell General Business Principles, all Shell staff and people working in joint ventures we operate are required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate, including on lobbying. We report on our lobbying activities in line with local requirements. For example, in the EU and the USA, we report our costs relating to lobbying activities in line with the requirements and guidelines set out in the EU Transparency Register and the US Lobbying Disclosure Act, respectively. These submissions are publicly available.
