We are moving aggressively to curtail emissions at our operated sites
The scientific community has spoken with one voice, notably in the IPPC Sixth Assessment Report published in 2022, in affirming the crucial role played by cumulative greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) – three-quarters of which originate in the production or use of energy – in heating our planet, and their impact on our environment and communities. Scientists have reiterated the need to take action to reduce those emissions and collectively reach carbon neutrality. That requires a sweeping transformation of our energy systems.
In early 2019, TotalEnergies made public our aim to reduce our net Scope 1+2 emissions from our operated activities by at least 40% from 2015 levels. This goal is in line with the objective of the European Union's "Fit for 55" program (-37% between 2030 and 2015) and the IEA's Net Zero Emissions 2022 (-35% between 2015 and 2030.
In 2022, there was a 13% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2015, totaling approximately 40 million tons of CO2 equivalent. TotalEnergies' targets include emissions generated by the electricity growth strategy it has undertaken since 2015, which has driven the Company to create a flexible combined cycle gas (CCGT) electricity generation portfolio. In 2022, oil and gas activities and related emissions decreased by more than 29% compared to 2015 levels, going from 46 to 33 Mt CO2 in 2022 (I would put this figure in the graph). In 2022 over 110 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We have reduced emissions by 0.8 million tonnes of CO2 across our managed resources. In September 2022, the Company decided to launch a two-year plan to accelerate energy efficiency initiatives with the aim of saving almost 2 Mt of CO2 in Oil & Gas operations. Thanks to this plan, TotalEnergies is accelerating its 2025 emissions reduction target of 2 Mt CO2 annually.
Reducing scope 3 emissions, together with society
Under scope 3, we report emissions corresponding to Category 11 of the GHG Protocol, “Use of Sold Products”. To avoid double counting and omissions, and in accordance with the petroleum industry reporting guidelines published by ipieca* 3, the emissions counted are based on the largest volume in each value chain (oil, gas or biofuels), i.e., the higher of production or sales.
Under Scope 3, TotalEnergies has since 2016 reported Category 11 emissions related to the use by its customers of products sold for final use – in other words, the emissions released when those products are burned to obtain energy, because customer use of these products constitutes the bulk of an energy Company’s Scope 3 emissions.
Transportation and shipping accounted for aboout 25% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021. So decarbonizing mobility represents a major challenge.
* ipieca - Estimating petroleum industry value chain (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions
TotalEnergies is progressively adapting its downstram refining and distribution of petroleum products, which now account for a much smaller share of the energy mix sell. Scope 3 Category 11 emissions from the Company’s oil value chain fell by more tahn 25% over 2015-2022.
On the strenght of that trend, we are accelerating our targets: we have now set 2025, rather than the previous date of 2030, as our target date for reducing our Scope 3 oil emissions by 30% in absolute terms from 2015 levels, and for 2030 we have increased our target reduction to 40%.
Representing 19% of global energy-related CO, road transport is by far the form of mobility with the highest emissions.
TotalEnergies supports emissions reduction policies for vehicles. It offers its customers solutions designed to promote the adoption of electric mobility: sales of NGV fuel (derived from natural gas or biogas) and biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the existing automotive fleet until electric vehicles gain a larger market share. Thanks to its biorefineries in Europe, the Company can offer its customers hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO 2): a biodiesel capable of reducing carbon emissions by 90% compared to conventional fuel.
In 2022, TotalEnergies distributed 3.3 milion tons of biofuels and aims to surpass 15 milion tons by 2030. The Company is also promoting the growth of low-carbon hydrogen as a new mobility solution, especially for trucks. Since 2022, the Company has been provading support to Hysetco, a society that promotes urban hydrogen-based electric mobility through a fleet of taxis and a network of dedicated charging stations.
Air transportation is responsible for 2% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions and is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize. Nonetheless, in October 2022 the members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) represents one of the biggest tools in the sector’s arsenal for decarbonizing the aviation industry. SAFs can reduce car¬bon emissions by up to 90% over their entire lifecycle 3. In 2022 TotalEnergies set a goal of capturing 10% of SAF sales worldwide by 2030 and is working with companies across the value chain, from suppliers of bio-based feedstock to customers that are incorporating SAFs into their aircraft fuel. The idea is to achieve economies of scale in the sector so as to reduce costs and boost adoption of this sustainable solution by our customers.
The shipping industry, which generates nearly 3% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions, according to the IEA, has already moved aggressively to shrink its carbon footprint, notably via International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules aimed at halving emissions from shipping by 2050.
To help its maritime customers reduce their emissions, TotalEnergies has pledged to supply LNG 4 (10% global market share target in 2030), bio-LNG and biofuels to strategic bunkering hubs. For the longer term, the Company is collaborating with partners from shipping industry coalitions and inter-industry R&D initiatives to shape the future market for decarbonized shipping fuels, including advanced biofuels, biomethane, and more ecofriendly synthetic methanol and ammonia.
Scope 3 Gas Emissions: Contributing to Lower Emissions from Electricity and Industry
Gas-fired power plants are a flexible resource for power generation and can be mobilized quickly; as a result, they offer a secure backup for grids designed to be powered increasingly by inter-mittent renewable sources.
Gas-fired plants discharge half the greenhouse gases of the coal-powered plants that still, in some countries, account for the majority of power generation capacity. Natural gas can also replace coal or fuel oil for other applications, such as generating heat for industry or homes.
TotalEnergies sells a significant percentage of LNG to the electric industry and in countries aiming for Net Zero. Given the positive role of natural gas, TotalEnergies aims to increase its share of the sales mix by 2030 and has not set a Scope 3 gas reduction target. When a coal-fired power plant is replaced by a gas-fired power plant, greenhouse gas emissions decrease, while TotalEnergies' Scope 3 gas emissions increase.