IPIECA services

Conserving the energy and greenhouse gases (GHGs) used to produce oil and gas can make a major contribution to moving the world onto a more sustainable energy path. Often, the most economical method of reducing GHG emissions is to reduce energy consumed. This is because the easiest emissions to control are the ones never produced. For this reason, IPIECA works with the industry to help reduce emissions with sharing of good practices, tools and through providing opportunities for sharing knowledge. IPIECA develops industry best practice and the promotion of technological and management solutions to reduce GHGs (for oil and gas this is mainly CO2 and methane) across the production, refining and transportation of oil and gas. For emissions from our operations, management largely means energy conservation or efficiency measures, reducing gas flaring and managing the emissions of methane.

The measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is becoming widespread across industries and countries as society attempts to reduce GHG emissions. Approaches to both measuring and reporting GHGs must deal with complexity, uncertainty and differing options for estimation and aggregation. Reporting on climate change is increasingly expected to go beyond GHGs to cover many other aspects of a company’s climate-related positions and actions. IPIECA helps the industry address these reporting issues by providing guidance and industry reporting standards.

IPIECA has been working for over 25 years to harness the oil and gas industry’s collective expertise and technology on oil spill preparedness and response. While prevention is always the ultimate goal, IPIECA gives equally high priority to developing the capability to respond to spills. IPIECA develops good practice and facilitates industry forums to share oil spill preparedness and response.

IPIECA, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and the Equator Principles Association formed the Cross-Sector Biodiversity Initiative (CSBI) in 2013. The initiative explores and develops practical tools and shares good practices for the effective application of the mitigation hierarchy, as referenced in the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 6 on biodiversity conservation.

IPIECA, jointly with the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), works to responsibly integrate the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) across the life cycle of oil and gas operations and embed the concept of BES issue management within operational practices and management systems. Preserving biodiversity and ecosystems is a priority for sustainable development and is supported by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There is growing pressure on water resources in many parts of the world due to both local and global factors.  Water quality and quantity is of global environmental concern and this both represents risks and opportunities for the industry.  Water is used throughout the project life-cycle of oil and gas activities and is core to business continuity.  Through a combination of practical tools, good practices and a forum for sharing industry knowledge, IPIECA enables the oil and gas industry to proactively identify potential water risks and to manage water issues.