Performance of annual leak detection, quantification and emissions reduction (LDAR) campaigns at all facilities.
Improved energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions are major factors in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
At Enagás, we are committed to sustainability and, hence, have made a commitment to be a carbon-neutral company by 2040. As part of this commitment, we have a decarbonisation pathway based on specific energy efficiency and emission reduction measures, and the setting of interim emission reduction targets.
These decarbonisation targets, which are set out in the company’s Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Plan, are aligned with the 1.5ºC scenarios and have been set using science-based criteria. In addition, the company’s commitment to decarbonisation has been extended to all Enagás professionals, given that the emission reduction targets are linked to employees’ variable pay.
The company is currently working to achieve the following emission reduction targets:
Reduction targets compared to the company’s 2014 emissions:
(1) Carbon neutrality will be achieved in 2040 with 23,162 tonnes of CO2e offset by nature-based solutions projects.
Reduction targets* compared to data recorded by the company in 2021:
*Targets corresponding to 100% of indirect Scope 3 emissions, the most significant of which include emissions derived from natural gas flowing on and off our infrastructure network, emissions from our affiliates and our main suppliers (GHG Protocol categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15).
Since 2014, we have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 48%.
Scope 1 emissions arising from our activity come from the consumption of natural gas at our facilities, mainly at the compressor stations.
On the other hand, Scope 2 emissions are generated by electricity consumption. Given that Enagás has a 100% Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin contract for all its facilities, the emissions associated with electricity consumption are zero.
Since 2015, we have reduced our methane footprint by 42%. Specifically, in 2023, methane emissions accounted for 18.8% of Enagás’ carbon footprint (Scope 1 and 2). 73% of these emissions came from venting during operation, maintenance and safety work or from analytical equipment, and the remaining 27% from uncontrolled and continuous gas leaks. Regarding gas leaks, in 2023 they represented 0.010% and 0.033% of gas throughput for transportation and storage activities respectively.
We are implementing the following measures to minimise methane emissions from our activities:
Performance of annual leak detection, quantification and emissions reduction (LDAR) campaigns at all facilities.
Use of boil-off gas (BOG) compressors at regasification plants.
Use of air-operated or electric valves in regasification plants and underground storage facilities, as well as in some transmission network locations.
Use of electric pumps in all facilities.
Use of a vented gas recovery system at the Lumbier compressor station.
Use of in-line compressors, portable compressors/flares during pipeline maintenance and repairs.
In 2019, we joined the Global Methane Alliance initiative [SMN1] and committed to reduce our methane emissions by 45% by 2025 and by 60% by 2030 with respect to 2015 figures. The company also joined the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP2.0) aimed at aligning companies’ methane emissions reporting with the European Methane Strategy, and obtained ‘Gold Standard’ recognition for its commitment to reduce emissions and data reliability improvement plan.
In addition to its activity chain’s impact on emissions, Enagás includes the impact of the gas transported by the company in the natural gas value chain in its Scope 3 emissions.
In addition, the company is working on the following lines of action to achieve the reduction targets set for Scope 3 emissions:
Development of renewable gases
Such as green hydrogen and biomethane, for their production, through the Enagás Renovable subsidiary, and adaptation of existing infrastructure for their transport.
Promotion of new uses of natural gas
In the mobility sector, mainly in maritime and rail transport.
Collaboration
In the field of decarbonisation with affiliates, supply chain, businesses and industry associations.
At Enagás, energy efficiency plays a key role in reducing emissions. In this sense, we make significant efforts to reduce gas and electricity consumption as part of our Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Plan, which allows us to meet the energy savings targets set. In addition, we are ISO 50001 certified for energy efficiency.
Since 2021, we have the 100% of our electricity with a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin. In addition, we continue our commitment to self-generation of energy from efficient, clean and renewable sources.
In 2023, own electricity generation from renewable, clean or efficient sources reached 21 GWh, representing 9.1% of total electricity consumption. Part of the energy generated is delivered to the national grid and another part is consumed at Enagas' own facilities. The energy sent back to the grid (11.7 GWh) helps reduce 3,212 tonnes of CO2 for third parties, contributes to reducing the national electricity mix factor and reinforces the principles of the circular economy.
In this area, special mention must be given to initiatives such as the use of waste heat at our Almendralejo compressor station, the use of waste cold from LNG at our Huelva regasification plant, and the use of pressure at the Barcelona regasification plant.
Furthermore, with the aim of being carbon-neutral in key strategic areas, in 2023, the company offset the emissions of all its regasification plants, Euskadour compressor station, the vehicle fleet and its headquarters.
We ensure that our commitment to decarbonization is also reflected in the activities we carry out to contribute to the improvement and advancement of the European Union's legislative and regulatory framework, as well as in our lobbying activities and/or relationship with trade associations ensuring their alignment with the Paris Agreement. In this regard, these activities are carried out according to the following management system:
Responsibility for this management lies with the Directorate General for Energy Transition.
Within the group of associations (including trade associations) and organizations aligned with the Paris Agreement where Enagás makes contributions, Hydrogen Europe, Gas for Climate and European Hydrogen Backbone stand out, among others. Likewise, our actions in these organizations are mainly aimed at contributing to ongoing European legislative and regulatory developments.
Our carbon footprint is ISO 14064 certified and recorded in the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition’s Carbon Footprint Register with the ‘Calculate, reduce and offset’ seal.
In 2023, we were placed on the ‘A List’ of the CDP’s Climate Change ranking, the highest rating on this index.
Our headquarters are LEED Gold certified as a sustainable building in terms of energy efficiency and environmental design.
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