Anyone who has ever watched a cycle race live or on TV knows how exhausting the sport is. Not only for the cyclists but also for the support staff, who either wait at the finish line or follow closely behind. The official convoy is made up of several vehicles. One segment drives in front of the field to ensure traffic safety. The team vehicles, on the other hand, always closely follow the riders. As a partner of the Tour de Suisse, Shell ensures that the CO₂ emissions generated by the Tour Organisation vehicles are offset. Shell not only offsets the CO₂ produced by fuel combustion but also compensates for the production, transport and distribution (filling stations) of the fuel whose footprint is to be offset.

Reforestation of flora and fauna
To this end, Shell has selected international projects for the conservation and reforestation of flora and fauna habitats, for which the CO₂balance is checked and certified under strict conditions. These include the Cordillera Azul National Park Project in Peru and the Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project in Indonesia. More information on CO₂ offsetting and the projects can be found here.

Avoiding, Reduction, Offset
Sufficient decarbonisation can only succeed by avoiding emissions for one thing: We all need to address our consumption behaviour. For some people, a quick morning drive to the bakery to pick up a croissant may represent quality of life. But considering climate change, this is rather counterproductive. Much better to walk or cycle and leave the car at home. Then by reduction: The global energy mix will shift away from fossil fuels towards alternative energies. That means more bio, more hydrogen, more electricity produced from renewable resources. And as a third and final step, we will use natural solutions to offset CO₂: Modern technologies, such as capturing CO₂ and storing it in the soil, as well as investments in the conservation of green spaces will make further contributions to climate neutrality.

Shell and cycling
Shell has been involved in cycling since the 1980s. Philippa York (then as Robert Millar at the 1983 Tour de France), the figurehead of the Peugeot-Shell-Michelin team, celebrated stage victories and mountain classification wins at the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta. Almost 40 years later, things have changed: Philippa York is back in the spotlight, sharing her knowledge with viewers as a cycling commentator and journalist. Shell too has changed and set itself the goal of becoming a net-zero emissions company by 2050 if not earlier, in keeping with both society and its customers.