The Ipieca sustainability article round-up showcases recent sustainability-related achievements, projects and news from Ipieca members, demonstrating their support for the Ipieca Principles around advancing environmental and social performance across the energy transition. We also highlight initiatives from our partner organizations and share insights from key United Nations meetings.
Making offshore platforms more sustainable, enhancing emergency preparedness, leveraging artificial intelligence to advance the journey to net-zero, and developing a platform for ocean data – these are just some of the advancements our members are making across the globe to contribute to the energy transition in the context of sustainable development. The August round-up also shares the mining industry’s strengthened commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, a UN report on the first drop in energy access in over a decade, and Ipieca insights from the UN High-level Political Forum.
Member sustainability articles
Aramco
Aramco plans USD 100 million funding for energy transition and sustainability R&D
Aramco will fund up to USD 100 million in research and development projects with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology over the next ten years. The collaboration aims to develop commercially viable solutions to support energy transition and sustainability goals, with a focus on hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, renewables, energy storage solutions, and advanced carbon materials.
Driving reduced methane emissions through The Environmental Partnership
The Environmental Partnership (TEP) has released its sixth annual report, highlighting significant progress in reducing methane emissions. In 2023, TEP members, which include leading oil and gas producers, achieved a 10% reduction in total flare volumes and nearly 7% in flare intensity. Since 2018, they have replaced over 180,000 gas-driven pneumatic controllers, saving an estimated 355,421 metric tonnes of methane emissions annually.
Behind the scenes of making gas production platforms more sustainable
Element NL has shared insights into the activities of the Seafox 4, a work ship involved in electrifying, simplifying, replacing, or decommissioning production platforms in the North Sea. Recently, it played a crucial role in the electrification of NAM’s Ameland West Gat platform, which now operates entirely on green electricity.
Strengthening emergency preparedness in the Barents Sea
Equinor has announced a new initiative to enhance emergency preparedness in the Barents Sea. This effort includes the deployment of advanced technology and increased collaboration with local authorities and partners. The goal is to ensure a robust response capability for potential incidents, safeguarding both personnel and the environment in a remote and challenging area.
From geothermal to CCS: how AI is powering OMV’s journey to net-zero
OMV is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to advance its journey towards net-zero emissions, by optimising various operations, from drilling to decision-making, enhancing its efficiency and sustainability. This includes using AI for data analytics, predictive maintenance and low-carbon solutions like geothermal energy and CCS.
Ocean data platform to support marine conservation in the Gulf of Thailand
PTTEP has launched a first-of-its-kind marine science data platform in Thailand, using offshore platforms to collect meteorological and oceanographic data, such as air temperature, wind direction, water temperature and ocean currents. It also monitors microplastic levels and identifies aquatic species around the offshore platforms. The initiative, developed in collaboration with local partners, aims to enhance marine science education, research, and conservation efforts, contributing to SDG 14 – life below water.
Mining companies strengthen their commitment to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples
ICMM has updated its Indigenous Peoples and Mining Position Statement to reinforce its commitment to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The statement emphasises the importance of obtaining agreement from Indigenous Peoples on the impacts of mining activities on their rights, identified through human rights due diligence and early engagement. The updated statement outlines the processes for meaningful consultation and engagement, and what steps companies will take if agreement cannot be reached.
International Institute for Sustainable Development
UN report records first drop in energy access in over a decade
A recent UN report shows the first decline in global energy access in over a decade, with 685 million people lacking electricity in 2022, up by 10 million from 2021. This is due to population growth, the global energy crisis, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. Despite a 6% increase in renewable electricity consumption in 2021 and record-high installed renewable energy capacity in 2022, current efforts are insufficient to achieve universal access to electricity and clean cooking by 2030.
Ipieca insights from the UN High-level Political Forum
Ipieca attended the annual forum for reviewing and following up on implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, participating in several side events and holding on-site meetings with key stakeholders. The forum placed emphasis on accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources and enhancing global energy interconnectivity to ensure a stable and sustainable energy supply.
The March round-up underscores the broad collaboration members are engaging in to advance the energy transition, including projects and funds supporting decarbonisation, nature-based solutions, biodiversity. Plus, partner updates on biofuels for decarbonising shipping, a mercury trade control initiative in Latin America, and insights from Ipieca's engagement with the IMO, UN CBD, and UNEP.
Sustainability article round-up: February 2025
27 February 2025
The February round-up demonstrates Ipieca member leadership in sustainability through formal recognitions, pioneering projects, and environmental and social investment programmes aimed at improving water quality, enhancing community resilience and supporting technical education for a just transition.
Sustainability article round-up: December 2024/January 2025
30 January 2025
We kick off 2025 with a round-up of articles from December and January. Covering emissions reductions efforts and low-carbon technologies, including a cross-border CCS study, blue hydrogen, and a new decarbonization institute. Members also share plans to restore coral reefs and boreal seismic lines.
Sustainability article round-up: November 2024
28 November 2024
As COP29 took place in Baku during November, Ipieca members and partners have been busy announcing new climate actions, collaborations, innovations and progress.
