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How can the energy sector consider a more sustainable way of working?

It’s no secret that the energy sector is often accused of being an obstacle to combating climate change rather than potentially being part of the solution.

The energy sector does account for more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions, but there are steps that businesses can take to work more sustainably – and it doesn’t have to include pivoting to wind or solar. There are many ways that the energy sector can work to reduce its impact on the environment while also making itself more resilient for the future.

Implement a long-term strategy

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it won’t happen at all without a robust plan in place. A comprehensive long-term sustainability strategy should look to fundamentally alter the way you work. This means addressing every aspect of your business, from the disposable cutlery used in your staff canteen to the way your senior team travels internationally. Implementing a strategy can also allow your business to consider diversification and potential new revenue streams such as renewable energy, electrical charging stations, biofuels, hydrogen, and advanced chemicals.

Harness the power of data

Data is one of the most important tools that the energy sector can use to become more sustainable. The increasing digitisation of the industry makes it easier for businesses to process data and prepare an agile response to issues as they arise. Making data more accessible can also help to influence stakeholders and inform commercial decisions. Tracking and measuring your emissions could be the first step towards implementing more environmentally friendly ways of working and making a commitment to reduce harmful gas emissions at every stage of the energy production process.

Review infrastructure

Setting the production of energy aside, there are several parts of the industry that can be optimised to help reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. Source materials can be chosen from ethical and sustainable providers, equipment can be operated in the most energy-efficient manner, and transport and delivery methods can also be assessed. Transportation can become more sustainable if you optimise loads, reduce mileage, and choose newer, greener vehicles to help cut emissions.

Offset your CO2 when travelling

Despite being one of the biggest contributors to global warming, the energy sector can become more sustainably by offsetting its carbon emissions. Offsetting CO2 is one way that companies can take responsibility for unavoidable emissions such as those caused by travel. Every time your business offsets one tonne of CO2, there will be one less tonne of CO2 in the atmosphere.

ATPI Halo can support your business to reduce its CO2 footprint by employing its Measure–Reduce–Offset methodology. The ATPI team will work with you to review your current travel emissions, implement a transparent reporting process, and help you plan future travel that is as sustainable as possible.

By partnering with Respira, one of the world’s leading CO2 project providers, ATPI can help you to offset the entire impact of your travel. ATPI Halo offers a varied offset portfolio, built in conjunction with the world’s leading carbon reduction project verifiers and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.

Investigate CCS and methane management

The energy sector can take steps to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions without needing to stop processing fossil fuels altogether. One more sustainable way of working is to harness CCS or carbon capture and storage technology. This process involves capturing the CO2 emitted in the industrial process, transporting it, and then drilling under the seabed to store it permanently underground. Experts believe that widespread adoption of CCS could result in a 16% reduction in annual global emissions by 2050.

Methane can also contribute to global warming and is often emitted as part of the fossil energy production process. In fact, it’s estimated that the energy sector emits 110 million tonnes of methane annually. A large proportion of these emissions come from leaks, so companies that take steps to accurately monitor and record their methane emissions can quickly identify issues and minimise this accidental output.

If you would like to find out more about how ATPI Halo can work with your company, click here.

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