Oil
CDP Report Reveals Nigeria’s Startling Ranking In Zero-Emission Race
According to a recent report by the multinational non-profit platform CDP, Nigerian oil and gas companies, including major international oil companies, have received low rankings in their efforts to reduce hydrocarbon emissions in line with the objectives of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
Reuters reported that Nigeria, along with Russia, the Arab Gulf countries, Algeria, Libya, Venezuela, Iraq, and Iran, are among the countries performing poorly in meeting their commitments to achieve zero gas emissions.
The CDP, in collaboration with the World Benchmarking Alliance, published the Oil and Gas Benchmark report, which highlights that the sector has made minimal progress towards the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement since 2021.
A recent report indicates that none of the 100 oil and gas companies evaluated are projected to significantly reduce their overall emissions within the next five years in a manner that aligns with the target of limiting global warming to a 1.5°C pathway.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari had previously made a commitment in 2021 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, which puts Nigeria ten years behind the United States’ target of reaching net-zero by 2050.
Nigeria has since announced its decision to adopt gas as a transitional fuel in its efforts to move towards cleaner energy sources.
The report also identifies several major oil and gas companies, including TotalEnergies, Eni, Repsol, Shell, BP, Chevron, Conoco, and Exxon, as being among the offenders in terms of their performance in reducing emissions.
The report stated “TotalEnergies which sees no big cut to its emissions by 2030, Eni and Repsol are in the top 10, and Shell and BP in the top 20. Big U.S. producers Chevron, Conoco and Exxon are in the top 40.”
Scientists say that by 2030 the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 43 per cent from 2019 levels to stand any chance of meeting the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of keeping warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.
CDP has emerged as the world’s biggest repository of environmental data submitted on a voluntary basis by companies, which are under pressure from some shareholders to disclose how they plan to navigate the transition to a lower-carbon future.
The CDP said 81 oil and gas companies with extraction activities show “no significant reduction” in production before 2030, with production not expected to peak until 2028.
The largest Western oil and gas companies in the world have established diverse goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their operations, as well as from the use of their products, particularly in the context of Scope 3 emissions, which account for a significant portion of their overall emissions.
According to the report, less than a third of the companies included in the assessment had set specific targets for reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Among the European companies evaluated in the report, only three—Neste, Naturgy, and Engie—are allocating more than 50 percent of their budgets to investments in low-carbon technologies.
Shell recently faced criticism from investors over lower dividends and profit, prompting the company to announce plans to increase its hydrocarbon production.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has unveiled a bold strategy to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by 60% by 2031, with an ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
This announcement reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role under the Global Methane Pledge initiative and its commitment to tackling climate change.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, disclosed these plans during a meeting on Thursday with Robert Leahman, the U.S. State Department’s Global Methane Program Manager, and a delegation from Deloitte.
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The discussions, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, focused on collaborative efforts to reduce methane emissions through innovative and sustainable practices.
“Reducing methane emissions is not just an environmental necessity but also a strategic imperative for Nigeria’s energy transition. We are leveraging partnerships to adopt global best practices and innovative solutions,” Kyari stated.
Key among these efforts is a pilot project in the Niger Delta, aimed at establishing emissions baselines, mitigating methane leaks, and promoting sustainable operations across Nigeria’s energy sector.
The project, a partnership between NNPC, Deloitte, and the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources, will utilize data-driven methodologies to pinpoint and address methane hotspots.
Robert Leahman commended Nigeria’s proactive stance, describing it as a benchmark for other nations on the continent.
“Nigeria’s leadership under the Global Methane Pledge sets a standard for the continent. These initiatives will not only help reduce emissions but also drive sustainable development in the energy sector,” he said.
Kyari highlighted the broader benefits of addressing methane emissions, noting its significance for both environmental protection and economic efficiency.
“This collaboration is a game-changer. By addressing methane leaks, we’re reducing waste, saving costs, and protecting the environment. It’s a win-win for our economy and the planet,” he added.
In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.
The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.
The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.
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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.
This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.
By Yemie Adeoye
NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.
The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”
The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.
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