Eni cuts scope 1, 2 upstream emissions by 40pc in 2023

Italy's Eni said today that it has cut its net scope 1 and 2 emissions in the upstream sector by 40pc in 2023, compared with a 2018 baseline.

Eni has also cut scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30pc for the whole business during the same period, it said. Scope 1 refers to emissions directly stemming from an organisation's activity, while scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased energy.

The firm has a target to be net zero upstream for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and by 2035 for the whole company. It also has a goal of being net zero across all its businesses, including scope 3 emissions that are generated by use of its products, by 2050.

Eni said it agrees with the UN Cop 28 deal struck by almost 200 countries in Dubai last year, and for "the need for the energy transition to take place in a fair, orderly, just and pragmatic manner". But it added that this includes expanding its gas portfolio, as well as investing to reduce emissions from oil and gas output. It said investing in gas is "a bridging vector in the energy transition pathway", citing the acquisition of Neptune Energy and the start of LNG production in Congo (Brazzaville).

Eni completed the purchase of assets of gas-focused UK-based independent Neptune Energy in January.

The Cop 28 agreement acknowledges the need to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems "so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science", but it also "recognises that transitional fuels can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security". Some climate non-governmental organisations and countries particularly vulnerable to the effect of climate change have warned that this could create loopholes benefiting the development of fossil fuel resources, including natural gas.

Eni in March said that it has cut its spending plans by around 20pc through to 2027 as it looks to focus on the quality of upstream projects and streamlined development to grow its oil and gas production by an annual 3-4pc. "Natural gas will continue expanding its share of production," Eni chief executive Claudio Descalzi said. The firm is also looking to raise its renewable energy capacity to 4GW this year from 3GW at the end of last year, and then double this to more than 8GW by 2027.

By Caroline Varin