Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco has taken a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits to offset the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a recent shipment of Arabian light crude oil. This marks the first time the company has used such measures to lower the GHG impact of its cargoes.
Sunrise at Asir National Park in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. AI generated picture.
The carbon credits were acquired from the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (RVCMC), a fellow Saudi entity, which Aramco had previously engaged with in carbon credit auctions. This initiative is Aramco’s first to integrate emissions reduction directly into its shipping operations.
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In a statement, Aramco confirmed the delivery of a pilot shipment consisting of two million barrels of Arabian light crude, which had undergone independent verification for carbon offsetting. The company reported a carbon intensity of 2.42 kgCO2 per barrel for the production and loading stages and 6.39 kgCO2 per barrel for the overall GHG emissions.
Aramco attributed the reduced carbon intensity to various emissions reduction strategies at its facilities and the use of offsets, though details on the specific offsets and savings were not disclosed.
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This move aligns with Aramco’s broader goals of reducing overall GHG emissions, which include investing in renewables and increasing solar and wind capacity to 12 gigawatts by 2035. The company also aims to qualify for low-carbon aviation fuel certification under international standards, further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability amidst criticism of its ongoing crude production expansion plans.
At DGB Group, we are dedicated to advancing nature-forward initiatives through our nature-based solutions, which not only capture carbon but also deliver numerous environmental and socio-economic advantages. Our projects produce high-quality, verified carbon credits that assist companies in meeting their sustainability goals.
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