Shell

Shell received a score of 100 on the 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2)(3). Shell received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (4)(5). Shell was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which demonetized and suppressed content that it deemed to spread “hate speech” or “misinformation”, discuss “debated social issues in a negative or partisan context”, or “vilif[y]” individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These arbitrary guidelines were used to censor mainstream perspectives online (6)(7)(8). However, Shell has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (9).

Shell’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2)(3). Shell’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (4)(5). The company does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (6).

Shell’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend at least one, controversial training on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2)(3). Shell’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (4)(5). Shell’s CEO Wael Sawan signed Catalyst’s Champions for Change pledge, indicating its support of DEI in its leadership composition through the establishment of gender and racial targets (6)(7). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its leadership composition. From its 2024 Annual Report and Accounts and Form: “The purpose of our Board Diversity policy is to ensure diversity of our board composition and an inclusive Board environment to cultivate the breadth of perspective and high-quality decision-making required to support the strategy and overall direction of the Shell” (8). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its supply chain. From its Powering Progress in Supply Chain: “We believe in the added value that supplier diversity brings to the supply chain and work with a mix of global and local suppliers” (9). The company appears to prioritize diversity over merit in its business structure through the establishment of gender and racial targets for its leadership composition. The company is seeking “to maintain the representation of both men and women at, or above, a minimum of 40%… [and] to achieve 15% ethnic minority group representation in its Senior Management by 2027” (10). The company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (11).

Shell’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company potentially agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3). Shell’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (4)(5). The company is committed to net zero emissions by 2050 (6). Shell opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls’ sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces (7). The company supports ESG within its business practices. From its Reporting Standards and ESG Ratings page: “We participate in a selection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings most often used by our stakeholders” (8). The company supports DEI within its business practices. From its Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page: “Our global vision is to become one of the most diverse and inclusive organisations in the world” (9).

Shell’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits, lab monitoring, and mental health benefits. The company also covers at least five of the following services: reconstructive hair removal, cosmetic hair removal, tracheal shave or reduction, facial surgeries, voice modification surgery, voice modification therapy, lipoplasty or filling for body masculinization or feminization, and travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the company has potentially pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3)(4). Shell’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (5)(6). Shell was a member of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (7)(8)(9). The company is a bronze sponsor of the HRC and a corporate partner of the NGLCC (10)(11). Shell is a member of the MCCA, indicating its focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees based on race (12)(13). The company is a member of Community Business, an organization that is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in companies across Asia (14). Shell is a partner of the HRC’s Foundation (15)(16). Shell sponsored Pride Houston 365 in 2025 (17)

Shell’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). Shell has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (3)(4). In 2021, 2022, the company lobbied for CLEAN Future Act (5)(6). In 2021, 2022, the company lobbied for Clean Energy for America Act (7). In 2021, the company lobbied for Save Our Future Act (8).