Social investment

Our activities contribute to economies through taxes, jobs and business opportunities. We also make social investments in areas determined by local community needs and priorities. These investments are sometimes voluntary, sometimes required by governments, or part of a contractual agreement.

Shell has three priority areas for social investment: access to energy; skills and enterprise development; and science, technology, engineering and maths education. In 2023, we spent almost $198 million on social investment, of which 35% was required by government regulations or contractual agreements. We spent the remaining $128.3 million (65%) on voluntary social investment.

An important part of our social investment is our contribution to communities that have been impacted by disasters. Typically, Shell provides financial donations to non-governmental and partner organisations that are experienced in providing humanitarian aid in disaster situations. Where possible and needed, we also contribute our products and services, such as fuel, chemical products, transport and logistics. In 2023, Shell contributed $11.6 million towards disaster relief response across several countries, including $5 million towards earthquake relief in Turkey.

Around $84.8 million of our total social investment spend in 2023 was in countries that, according to the UN Development Programme’s Human Development Index 2021, have a gross national income of less than $15,000 a year per person.

Find out more about our social investment at www.shell.com/sustainability/communities.