IR & ESG
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Efficiency and the environment
We carry out our activities with full respect for the environment, taking care to manage energy and natural resources efficiently.
We will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 34% and our energy consumption by 27% by 2028.
Both compared to 2020 (baseline), on a like-for-like scope (excluding any changes following M&A and ATEM tenders).
Inorder to achieve these objectives integrated in our business plan, our digital skills and tools, such as Picarro, and the know-how of Seaside, the Group’s ESCo, specialised in energy efficiency,play a key role.
To guarantee our commitments and objectives, we have developed the Group HSEQE Policy, and we have the most advanced management systems, certified according to international standards, for health, safety, environment and energy efficiency aspects.
Sustainability Highlights 2021
* Calculated as the ratio between the total energy consumption of the Group and the gas transported.
** Volume of fugitive emissions of natural gas/volume of carrier gas.
We reduce our greenhouse gas emissions also making our network more sustainable
To further reduce fugitive emissions*, we are taking steps to make the network more sustainable by replacing cast iron pipes with lead hemp joints, in favour of steel and polyethylene, which not only increases safety levels but also helps reduce gas releases into the atmosphere.
* Given its operation as a DSO and given that Italgas does not own transportation or storage assets, fugitive leaks are the only relevant type of gas leakages (vent leaks have a residual significance, while pneumatic and unburnt are not present).
Atmospheric emissions
2021 saw a drop in total scope 1 and scope 2 emissions of 7.3% lower than the 2020. The main components that contributed to this decrease are fugitive emissions and emissions from gas consumption for industrial use, which in total make up for over 94% of the total emissions.
It is important to note how this reduction is even more significant against an increase in Group operations, in terms of increase of network length (+1.9% compared to 2020) and gas distributed (+4.8%).
Scope 3 emissions increased slightly on 2020.
Our energy efficiency
The energy source used the most in the Group’s activities is natural gas, in both civil and industrial uses, and for vehicles. For years, Italgas has monitored its consumption with the aim of reducing its environmental impact over time according to a continuous improvement process in line with the objectives identified in its 2021-2027 Strategic Plan.
Energy consumption totalled 597.2 TJ in 2021. The figure has increased slightly since 2020 (+5.1 TJ, corresponding to +0.9%).
Applying a new methodology to monitor and reduce gas emissions, thanks to Picarro
We have defined a new methodology for calculating emissions from fugitive natural gas leaks, based on data collected using Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) technology . The technology is 1000 times more sensitive than traditional technology and we can apply a more rigorous and precise calculationto provide us with more robust data.
The method is based on the determination of the magnitude of individual fugitive gas emissions, which are derived from big data analyses collected from planned leakage searches performed along the networks using Picarro technology.
The accuracy of the method
The accuracy of the method is guaranteed by the possibility of:
- Classify and accurately locate both the most significant and influential gas emission sources (super emittersas well as smaller ones).
- Quantify the expected benefits/improvements from targeted maintenance initiatives on the network.
- Prioritise network renewal interventions with a view to reducing the effects of gas leakage and an appropriate cost/benefit balance.
Practical application
To calculate the emissions, the figure obtained with this method for methane (CH4) is reparameterized to natural gas, increasing it by 9%, as the natural gas distributed in Italy contains on average 91% methane (CH4).
In order to obtain as complete a value as possible, leaks reported by third parties were also taken into account, taking into account the average daily volume of leaks identified by the CRDS method and a maximum repair time of 48 hours.
We manage resources responsibly
We handle materials and waste in a sustainable and responsible way. In managing our activities, our most important impact concerns:
- Remediation, environmental restoration and monitoring of brownfield sites.
- Over the next two years, virtuous disposal activities of mechanical meters replaced by smart meters. Inthe long term, over the next five years we will develop the most useful and sustainable approach to the end-of-life management of the smart meters themselves.
- Finally, it has virtually completed its replacement of traditional meters with smart meters, latest generation meters equipped for smart metering and thus able to read consumption without the need to access the meter. Replacement results in greater operational efficiency, with a direct impact on the consumer. It also increases the capacity to provide sales companies with reliable and timely consumption data.
Discover our environmental performance in our Reporting Hub, where you can find all our sustainability disclosures.
The methanisation of the country as an opportunity for sustainable development
In 2021, the natural gas conversion plan of the LPG distribution networks managed, continued, at 31/12/2021, Italgas Reti has just 2 more distribution plants used to channel LPG, while Medea has converted 26 plants, taking the number of plants still to be converted, to 5.
Our 100% green fleet
Our company vehicle fleet is 100% natural gas-powered. In addition, in order to enable all our people to use their cars efficiently, we have installed the appropriate charging stations at the operational sites.
