Sustainability article round-up: December 2024/January 2025
30 January 2025
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.
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. On the partners side, we spotlight a UNEP report on circular economy approaches to a just transition, and Ipieca insights from the 10th Ipieca-IMO GI WACAF meeting and the 13th UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights.
Member sustainability articles
Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA)
ANGEA publishes study to accelerate cross-border CCS
ANGEA has published a study outlining key requirements for cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in the Asia Pacific region. The study aims to provide a framework for bilateral and commercial agreements to facilitate the development CCS.
Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley to establish Decarbonization Institute
Baker Hughes and UC Berkeley have partnered to establish the Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonization Materials, aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective climate technologies. The institute will focus on creating advanced materials for energy and industrial applications, including carbon capture, hydrogen and clean power generation.
BERA programme seeks to enhance ecosystem recovery and restoration of seismic lines
The Boreal Ecosystem Recovery and Assessment (BERA) programme is investigating how to restore old seismic lines in Alberta's boreal forest, focusing on vegetation regrowth and wildlife use. Cenovus and ConocoPhillips Canada participate in the programme, which aims to understand and improve ecological restoration techniques for these legacy corridors.
Chevron volunteers are collaborating with local organizations in Colombia to restore and protect over 440,000 acres of endangered coral reefs. The ‘One Million Corals for Colombia’ project aims to grow one million coral pieces to restore nearly 494 acres of reef, involving community members and experts in monitoring and education efforts.
INPEX advances FEED for blue hydrogen project in Japan
INPEX has started front-end engineering and design (FEED) for a blue hydrogen project in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. This project will use natural gas fields and depleted reservoirs for carbon capture and storage, aiming to produce 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen and ammonia annually by 2030.
Construction of an early gas treatment unit to stop flaring and supply power plants
TotalEnergies, along with its partners Basra Oil Company and QatarEnergy, has launched the construction of the ArtawiGas25 project in Iraq. This early gas treatment unit, part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), aims to stop gas flaring and supply local power plants, benefiting around 200,000 households in the Basra region.
UNEP report explores circular economy approaches to support just transition
The UNEP paper emphasises the importance of circular economy approaches to reduce the need for new minerals by 2050, promoting sustainability and minimising environmental damage. It calls for responsible mining and coordinated policies to ensure a just and sustainable energy transition.
10th Ipieca-IMO Global Initiative for West, Central and Southern Africa regional conference
The 10th Ipieca-IMO Global Initiative for West, Central, and Southern Africa regional conference, held in Togo, gathered 120 participants including government and industry representatives from 20 African countries. The conference aimed to enhance oil spill preparedness and response by reviewing progress since the last meeting and setting strategic priorities for 2025-2027.
Ipieca insights from the 13th UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights
Ipieca participated in the 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, engaging with over 3,000 stakeholders to discuss the impact and future of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The forum focused on realising a ‘smart mix of measures’ to protect human rights in business contexts, with Ipieca organizing bilateral meetings to discuss priorities and stakeholder expectations.
Ipieca support for UN conventions – October to December
One of Ipieca’s core roles is to support UN conventions and agreements. Quarter four of 2024 was busy with UN conferences including climate COP29 and nature COP16, and new Ipieca resources supporting the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
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: 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.
Sustainability article round-up: October 2024
1 November 2024
Emissions management, carbon capture and storage, and low-carbon technologies take the centre stage in the October edition, alongside companies fostering research and development, and enhancing education and in-country value. We also share insights on how Ipieca and its members are supporting UN conventions, including the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Sustainability article round-up: September 2024
30 September 2024
This round up shares Ipieca members’ investment in renewables—with two members set to develop over 3 GW of solar power. It features carbon capture and storage and hydrogen projects and solutions, and highlights how electrifying operations can lead to large emissions reductions.
