BP targets a low carbon future
BP has said its net greenhouse gas emissions out to 2025 will remain at or below 2015 levels
- Low carbon plans set out in new report
- Zero net growth in operational emissions from 2015 levels to 2025
- Clear, near-term targets for emissions reductions
- Independently-assured accreditation programme to highlight low carbon activities
Advancing the energy transition
BP has said its net greenhouse gas emissions out to 2025 will remain at or below 2015 levels.
This target comes in a new report, Advancing the Energy Transition, which sets out BP’s plans to help address the dual challenge of meeting the world’s increasing demand for energy, at the same time as reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
Targeting operational emissions
Underpinning the target of zero net growth in operational emissions out to 2025, is a goal of 3.5 million tonnes of sustainable greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2025, and the aim of limiting methane intensity (the proportion of BP’s marketed natural gas lost as emissions) to 0.2% and holding it below 0.3%. This methane intensity target includes the methane emissions from BP operations where gas goes to market, as a percentage of that gas.
Any increase in emissions above 2015 levels not covered by sustainable reductions activity will be offset each year.
The targets are part of BP’s 'reduce, improve, create' framework, which captures low and lower carbon activities across the whole of the BP group.
BP’s reduce, improve, create framework
Efficiency improvements
Digital, big data and advanced technologies, as well as an innovative mindset, are driving rapid development of new ways to tackle emissions and improve efficiency at BP.
- Energy efficient engines powering oil tankers are reducing fuel consumption
- Retrofitted technology is reducing emissions at a US petrochemicals plant
- Co-generated power is making more efficient use of energy at Whiting refiner
Tackling methane
In particular, tackling emissions of methane – the primary component of natural gas but also a potent greenhouse gas – is key. To address this, BP is targeting a methane intensity of 0.2% and holding it at 0.3% - this target includes the methane emissions from our operations where gas goes to market, as a percentage of that gas.
Improving products and creating businesses
Alongside plans to further reduce its emissions, BP is already seizing opportunities to lower carbon across its business – from packaging to portfolio choices.
- Creating fuels and lubricants allowing drivers to go further with fewer emissions
- Producing renewable gas from waste for the US transport market
- Reducing plastic packaging on some US Castrol brands, contributing to a reduction in CO2emissions of about 2,000 tonnes a year
- Investing in new businesses such as Lightsource BP, adding solar to a renewables portfolio that already includes wind and biofuels
Many of these initiatives are among the 33 activities outlined in the newly-launched group-wide accreditation programme, Advancing Low Carbon (ALC), designed to incentivise every part of BP to pursue lower carbon opportunities and to encourage customers and others outside BP to make lower carbon choices. Each activity included in the programme is independently verified and those judged to make a measurable contribution are expected to carry the ALC logo.
Sustainability reporting
Advancing the energy transition was published alongside BP’s Sustainability Report for 2017. Framed around common questions about BP’s policies and performance, this year’s edition of the Sustainability Report is designed to describe BP’s approach to a range of non-financial issues in a clear and accessible style. It is supported by further extensive further reporting and examples online.
Chief executive Bob Dudley on BP's low carbon plans
