Shell reduces Scope 3 emissions target
18 March 2024
UK-based oil major Shell is now targeting a 15-20% reduction by 2030 in the net carbon intensity of the energy products it sells, compared with 2016, against its previous target of 20%.
The company also plans to grow its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business in line with LNG being viewed as a critical fuel in the energy transition.
Related read: BP and Shell’s spending on renewables flatlines in 2023
“We are cutting emissions from oil and gas production while keeping oil production stable, and growing sales of low-carbon energy solutions while gradually reducing sales of oil products such as petrol, diesel and jet fuel,” the company’s Energy Transition Strategy 2024 report stated.
The firm aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across all its operations and energy products and said this target is transforming its business.
Progress
The company reported making progress against its climate targets. It said as of 2023, it achieved more than 60% of its target to halve emissions from its operations by 2030, compared with 2016.
The same year, Shell said it achieved 0.05% methane emissions intensity, which is significantly below its target of 0.2%, and in line with a target to achieve near-zero methane emissions by the end of the decade.
Shell also cited that it contributed to the World Bank’s Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Fund last year, which indicates its support for an industry-wide action to drive down methane emissions and flaring.
The company noted having hit – for the third consecutive year – its target to reduce the net carbon intensity of the energy products it sells, with a 6.3% reduction compared with 2016.
To help drive the decarbonisation of the transport sector, Shell has also set a new target to reduce customer emissions from the use of its oil products by 15-20% by 2030 compared with 2021.
Power shift
The company said that its focus on where it can add the most value has led to a strategic shift in its integrated power business.
“We plan to build our power business, including renewable power, in places including Australia, Europe, India and the USA, and have withdrawn from the supply of energy directly to homes in Europe.
“In line with this shift to prioritising value over volume in power, we will focus on select markets and segments,” the firm said, indicating an intention to sell more power to commercial customers, and less to retail customers.
“Given this focus on value, we expect lower total growth of power sales to 2030, which has led to an update to our net carbon intensity target.
“We are now targeting a 15-20% reduction by 2030 in the net carbon intensity of the energy products we sell, compared with 2016, against our previous target of 20%.”
Investments
Shell plans to invest between $10bn and $15bn between 2023 and the end of 2025 in low-carbon energy solutions.
It also cited investing $5.6bn on low-carbon solutions in 2023, more than 23% of its total capital spending.
These investments include electric vehicle charging, biofuels, renewable power, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
Related read: Shell abandons Iraq chemicals project
Exclusive from Meed
-
Kuwait signs 25-year offtake for Al-Zour North IWPP4 February 2026
-
Qatar’s Ashghal outlines Q1 2026 project plans4 February 2026
-
Dar Global seeks firms for Dubai Trump tower and hotel4 February 2026
-
Elon Musk-backed firm signs Dubai Loop construction deal4 February 2026
-
Aramco to finalise long-term agreements with engineering firms4 February 2026
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends
Related Articles
-
Kuwait signs 25-year offtake for Al-Zour North IWPP4 February 2026
Kuwait has signed a 25-year energy conversion and water purchase agreement for the Al-Zour North independent water and power plant (IWPP) phases two and three.
The deal was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Acwa and local financial institution Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) with Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity & Water, confirming the long-term offtake arrangements for the project.
The signing marks a key step towards financial close on the estimated $4bn project. Once completed, the facility will add 2,700MW of power and 120 million imperial gallons a day of desalinated water to Kuwait’s supply network.
Kuwait recently established a new public shareholding company to manage the next stages of the project.
The Gulf Alliance for Power & Water Company will be responsible for the construction, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of Al-Zour North IWPP phases two and three.
In August, Acwa, formerly Acwa Power, and GIC signed a contract to develop the project, which will be the country’s largest IWPP. The consortium will hold 40% of the project company through Al-Zour Kuwaiti Second & Third Holding Company.
The Public-Private Partnership Authority will hold 10% on behalf of government entities, while 50% will be offered to Kuwaiti citizens through a public subscription process.
The project is owned by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects and the Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy.
The scheme will be developed under a build-operate-transfer model. The newly signed offtake agreement secures revenue for a 25-year period.
China’s Sepco3 is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
READ THE FEBRUARY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFSpending on oil and gas production surges; Doha’s efforts support extraordinary growth in 2026; Water sector regains momentum in 2025.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the February 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Mena upstream spending set to soar> INDUSTRY REPORT: MEED's GCC water developer ranking> INDUSTRY REPORT: Pipeline boom lifts Mena water awards> MARKET FOCUS: Qatar’s strategy falls into place> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Iran protests elevate regional uncertainty> CONTRACT AWARDS: Contract awards decline in 2025> LEADERSHIP: Tomorrow’s communities must heal us, not just house us> INTERVIEW: AtkinsRealis on building faster> LEADERSHIP: Energy security starts with rethinking wasteTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15565047/main1611.jpg -
Qatar’s Ashghal outlines Q1 2026 project plans4 February 2026
Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has outlined plans to undertake 67 projects as part of its development strategy for 2026.
The majority of the upcoming projects cover sectors such as buildings, highways, roads, water and drainage.
The projects to be undertaken in the first quarter of this year include:
- Access road to the Qatari Emiri Air Defence command building
- Call-off agreement for road and infrastructure works
- Carrying out all recommended work to ensure the necessary approvals from the Civil Defence Authority are obtained
- Remaining works of C/2020/60 RIW for junctions & RA in various areas of Greater Doha: phase 9
- Remaining works of C/2020/124 R & I in Mebaireek (Zone 81): packages 1&2
- Strategic FTS for Karwa City, Asian City, IA 2 Diversions and SA
- Modifications and additions to existing schools: packages 2-8
- Construction of Mekeines – Umm Bab Link Road
- Construction of Msheireb offices
- Construction of parking lots for areas 2 and 3 and modification of road infrastructure, the bus station and Gate 6
- Remaining works of C/2018/114 Umm Al-Dome improvement
- Remaining works of C/2019/90 access roads for Umm Ghuwailina
- Remaining works of C2017/86, roads surrounding Al-Bayt Stadium
- Remaining works of C2018/7 & C2017/118, Al-Kheesa foul sewer: packages 1&2
- Consultancy services for MM building damages investigation and repairs recommendations
- Consultancy services for modernisation of tunnels on Lusail Expressway & Sabah Al-Ahmad corridor
- Consultancy services for survey works, GIS, CAD and BIM on a call-off basis
- Consultancy supervision services for construction of Mekeines – Umm Bab Link Road
- Demolition and construction of two schools (Simaisma Junior School, Simaisma High School): package 3
- Demolition of decommissioned facilities: phase 6
- Design and build for water treatment plant (including treated sewage effluent plant for UDST)
- Design and construction of pedestrian crossings: phase 4
- Design of external administrative buildings for the protection and nature reserves sector, and the Turtle Protection Centre
- Design and build of a truck stop outside the wall of the medical quarry in Al-Ruwais
- Design, supply and install the new sparkling lights for the Arch 5/6
- Execution of Central Doha and Corniche Package: two remaining works
- Foul sewer GAP tunnel 1.6 kilometres long, diameter 600-800 mm at Doha North
- Framework contract for the road link works in several locations across Qatar
- Industrial area STW asset improvement works: phase 2 AM24-0032
- Modernisation of tunnels on Lusail Expressway & Sabah Al-Ahmad corridor
- New consultancy supervision services
- On-call contract for geotechnical, environmental & structural tests and evaluation services
- Operational insurance – property all risk and third-party liability
- Package 1: design and build of strategic SGW drainage Western Tunnels – Southern area – C878/S1
- Paving and house connection for existing plot at Nuaija Zone 44
- Pilot deep wells construction
- PPP pre-contract framework – future work orders
- Pre-contract PCS for centralised sewage solids treatment and management facility
- Pre-contract PCS for Strategic Qatar Integrated Drainage Master Plan Update 2026 C767/3
- PSA for Strategic FTS for Karwa City, Asian City, IA 2 Diversions and SA
- PSA roads and infrastructure in Wadi Al-Banat (Zone-70)
- PSA roads and infrastructure in Al-Kheesa North and East (Rawdat Al-Hamama District): package 3
- R&I in southwest of Al-Wukair (DW086 – DW092)
- Refurbishment, reinstatement and repair works for strategic location in Qatar: phase 9 (QN) AM22-1011
- Roads and infrastructure in Al-Kheesa
- Roads and infrastructure in Al-Kheesa North and East (Rawdat Al-Hamama District): package 3
- Roads and infrastructure in Rawdat Abal Heeran: package 4
- Roads and infrastructure in Sailiya Al-Attiyah: package 1
- Roads and infrastructure in Sailiya Al-Attiyah: package 2
- Roads and infrastructure north of Smeisma: package 4
- Secondment contract for professional staff for the Highway Projects Department
- Secondment contract for professional staff for Roads Project department: phase 2
- STW rehabilitation and maintenance: Qatar West phase 2 AM25-0020
- Supervision for community college projects
- Supervision for design and construction of pedestrian crossings: phase 4
- Supervision for roads and infrastructure for Qatar Armed Forces
- Supervision for roads and infrastructure for Qatar Armed Forces – A
- Supervision for the design and build of a new communications room and technical store for Al-Shahaniya radio station
- Supervision for foul sewer GAP tunnel – 1.6km long, diameter 600-800 mm – at Doha North
- Supervision of deep injection wells enabling works – pilot at Al-Thumama
- Supervision of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education warehouses project
- Supply of equipment and spares for DNOM AM21-192
- Supply of pumps for DNO&M workshop section AM25-0075
- Surrounding roads around North Camp
- Surrounding roads around Doha Air Base
- TSE rehabilitation and maintenance: Qatar West phase 2 – AM25-0031
- TSE renewal programme and assets improvements: Qatar South phase 2 – AM22-132
Qatar market overview
Qatar’s next construction cycle is starting to take shape. In recent months, the country has made progress on several high-profile, large-scale infrastructure schemes that are set to inject fresh momentum into Qatar’s construction pipeline and, crucially, translate into years of contract flow for local contractors, suppliers and service firms.
The largest of these schemes includes the proposed high-speed rail line connecting Riyadh and Doha, the revived Friendship Bridge to Bahrain and a planned road corridor linking Qatar with the UAE.
For the construction industry, these moves signal that the state is ready to shift from post-World Cup consolidation to a new, longer-term buildout anchored in regional connectivity.
That longer-term view is especially important after a flat 2025, when contract awards slipped to just over $2bn — the weakest annual total in the past five years — and many in the industry felt a widening gap between plans and procurement.
The mood has now shifted. With about $64bn-worth of projects in the pipeline, Qatar is not short of project opportunities.
The next phase has the potential to sustain contractors and the wider supply chain in the near term, while bringing a more predictable rhythm back to the market as these programmes are broken into packages and move to tender.
MEED’s February 2026 report on Qatar includes:
> COMMENT: Qatar’s strategy falls into place
> GVT & ECONOMY: Qatar enters 2026 with heady expectations
> BANKING: Qatar banks search for growth
> OIL & GAS: QatarEnergy achieves strategic oil and gas goals in 2025
> POWER & WATER: Dukhan solar award drives Qatar's utility sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Infrastructure investments underpin Qatar constructionTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15565036/main.jpeg -
Dar Global seeks firms for Dubai Trump tower and hotel4 February 2026

Saudi Arabia-headquartered real estate developer Dar Global has asked contractors to express interest in a contract to build the Trump International Hotel and Tower project in Dubai.
Dar Global is developing the project in collaboration with the US-based Trump Organisation.
The 80-floor tower will be built next to the Shangri-La Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The tower will be among the tallest in Dubai, with an estimated height of approximately 350 metres.
In December last year, Dar Global appointed Dubai-based Edrafor Emirates to undertake the foundation works on the project.
Dar Global is also developing the estimated $1bn Trump Plaza Jeddah project in Saudi Arabia.
In November last year, Abu Dhabi-based contractor Arabian Construction Company won the estimated SR2bn ($532m) main contract to build the Trump Tower Jeddah.
The project comprises a mixed-use development of apartments, townhouses, offices, retail, food and beverage offerings, and a 4,000-square-metre club.
Dar Global, a subsidiary of Dar Al-Arkan, was one of the first Saudi brands to list on the London Stock Exchange.
According to an official statement, the project is the region’s first Trump International Hotel & Tower and represents the fifth collaboration between Dar Global and the Trump Organisation.
Dar Al-Arkan established Dar Global in 2017 to focus on developing projects in the Middle East and Europe. It has $12bn-worth of projects under development in six countries: the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK and Spain.
It completed three developments – the Urban Oasis and Da Vinci towers in Dubai and the Sidra gated community in Bosnia – in 2023.
The company collaborates with global brands including Missoni, W Hotels, Versace, Elie Saab, Automobili Pagani and Automobili Lamborghini.
READ THE FEBRUARY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFSpending on oil and gas production surges; Doha’s efforts support extraordinary growth in 2026; Water sector regains momentum in 2025.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the February 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Mena upstream spending set to soar> INDUSTRY REPORT: MEED’s GCC water developer ranking> INDUSTRY REPORT: Pipeline boom lifts Mena water awards> MARKET FOCUS: Qatar’s strategy falls into place> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Iran protests elevate regional uncertainty> CONTRACT AWARDS: Contract awards decline in 2025> LEADERSHIP: Tomorrow’s communities must heal us, not just house us> INTERVIEW: AtkinsRealis on building faster> LEADERSHIP: Energy security starts with rethinking wasteTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15564796/main.jpg -
Elon Musk-backed firm signs Dubai Loop construction deal4 February 2026
Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with Elon Musk-backed firm The Boring Company to begin construction of the Dubai Loop transportation system.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai on 3 February.
The first phase of the project comprises a 6.4-kilometre (km) route with four stations, linking the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Mall.
The stations will be located at DIFC 2, ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai Mall Zabeel Parking and Burj Khalifa.
The first phase is expected to cost about AED565m ($154m).
This phase is anticipated to be delivered within one year following the completion of design work and other preparations.
The tunnelling works are expected to begin in the second half of this year.
Next phase
The second phase of the project will connect the Dubai World Trade Centre and DIFC with Business Bay.
The tunnels will extend up to 22km and include 19 stations.
The total cost of the project across both phases is expected to be around AED2bn ($545m), with completion scheduled within three years.
In a statement published by the Emirates News Agency (Wam), the RTA said the pilot route is expected to serve around 13,000 passengers a day. The full route is projected to have a total capacity of about 30,000 passengers a day.
The RTA and The Boring Company signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February last year to explore the development of the Dubai Loop transportation system.
The Dubai Loop is expected to be similar to The Boring Company’s Las Vegas Convention Centre (LVCC) Loop project. The LVCC Loop is a 2.7km underground tunnel system that connects different convention centre halls, reducing walking time across the site to about two minutes.
The LVCC Loop has been in operation since 2021. It uses Tesla Model 3 cars to carry passengers between five stations. The Boring Company began construction in November 2019 at an estimated cost of $49m.
READ THE FEBRUARY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFSpending on oil and gas production surges; Doha’s efforts support extraordinary growth in 2026; Water sector regains momentum in 2025.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the February 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Mena upstream spending set to soar> INDUSTRY REPORT: MEED's GCC water developer ranking> INDUSTRY REPORT: Pipeline boom lifts Mena water awards> MARKET FOCUS: Qatar’s strategy falls into place> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Iran protests elevate regional uncertainty> CONTRACT AWARDS: Contract awards decline in 2025> LEADERSHIP: Tomorrow’s communities must heal us, not just house us> INTERVIEW: AtkinsRealis on building faster> LEADERSHIP: Energy security starts with rethinking wasteTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15564682/main.jpg -
Aramco to finalise long-term agreements with engineering firms4 February 2026

Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access
Saudi Aramco is on course to finalise long-term agreements (LTAs) with prominent energy sector engineering firms, aiming to create a pool of consultants it can engage in future for project study- and design-related requirements.
The structure of this proposed pool of engineering consultants will be similar to Aramco’s existing general engineering services-plus (GES+) group, which provides project management and engineering services – including concept studies, pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-feed) and feed – to support Aramco’s capital programmes in Saudi Arabia across onshore greenfield and brownfield projects in gas, oil and new-energy infrastructure.
Aramco also maintains LTA pools with offshore and onshore engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, and the layout of the planned pool of engineering firms will be akin to those two bodies, sources told MEED.
According to sources, the following companies, among others, are understood to have submitted proposals to Aramco for the proposed LTA pool of engineering consultants:
- Bechtel (US)
- Fluor (US)
- KBR (US)
- Wood (UK)
- Worley (Australia)
Aramco received proposals from these firms last year and has since held several rounds of “discussions and negotiations” with them, sources said. The Saudi energy giant is now believed to have agreed with the bidders the terms and other aspects on which the proposed LTA engineering pool is to be built, sources added.
“If all goes to plan, we could see Aramco signing LTAs with the contractors to create the group within the first quarter [of 2026],” one source said.
While Aramco’s planned engineering LTA pool will be “largely similar” to its GES+ group, sources said a key distinguishing factor will be the ability of consultants in the new pool to bid for, and secure, engineering work for Aramco’s international projects, as well as to execute overseas work for Aramco’s in-kingdom projects.
The GES+ body, which comprises joint ventures between foreign and local firms, receives tenders from Aramco only for in-kingdom engineering studies. The GES+ pool consists of the following entities:
- KBR (US) / Abdulhadi & Al-Moaibed Consulting Engineering Company (AMCDE; local)
- SNC-Lavalin (Canada) / Fayez Engineering (local)
- Jacobs (US)
- Worley (Australia)
- Wood Group (UK) / Faisal Jamel Al-Hejailan Engineering (local) / Dar Al-Riyadh Engineering Consultants (DAR) / Petro-Infrastructure Engineering (PI Consult)
- Technip Energies (France) / Dar Al-Riyadh Engineering Consultants (local)
- Bechtel (US) / Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre (local)
ALSO READ: Aramco picks consultant for New Energies scheme
READ THE FEBRUARY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFSpending on oil and gas production surges; Doha’s efforts support extraordinary growth in 2026; Water sector regains momentum in 2025.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the February 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Mena upstream spending set to soar> INDUSTRY REPORT: MEED's GCC water developer ranking> INDUSTRY REPORT: Pipeline boom lifts Mena water awards> MARKET FOCUS: Qatar’s strategy falls into place> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Iran protests elevate regional uncertainty> CONTRACT AWARDS: Contract awards decline in 2025> LEADERSHIP: Tomorrow’s communities must heal us, not just house us> INTERVIEW: AtkinsRealis on building faster> LEADERSHIP: Energy security starts with rethinking wasteTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15560184/main1154.jpg