A data and analytics company, GlobalData, has said that oil and gas companies that implement concrete measures to reduce their environmental impact are best placed to succeed in the years ahead.
It said that large oil and gas corporations have undertaken social welfare activities as per their individual CSR portfolios. In its latest thematic report, ‘Sustainability in Oil & Gas’, GlobalData reflects that the environmental threat of oil and gas industry is widely recognised and various governments have initiated preventive measures to mitigate it.
Subsequently, many oil and gas companies are taking steps to curb the environmental impact, primarily due to regulatory and shareholder obligations. The thematic research identifies that Equinor, Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Chevron and OMV among the leaders in the sustainability theme in the oil and gas industry.
According to the report, the outbreak of COVID-19 has put workforce wellbeing at the centre stage. Oilfield workers in many regions have contracted the disease, highlighting the importance of social sustainability. The pandemic has also raised governance challenges as different companies have adopted different approaches at handling this unprecedented crisis.
GlobalData said however, when it comes to social and governance factors, there appears to be a distinct differentiation in the way different companies handle these issues. “Large oil and gas corporations have undertaken social welfare activities as per their individual CSR portfolios. There is a conscious effort to bridge the gender gap in workplaces, maintain diversity and ensure overall wellbeing of the employees. Increased accountability has improved overall governance across the oil and gas value chain,” the report said
Ravindra Puranik, oil and gas analyst at GlobalData, said, “Oil majors and other multinationals have adopted best practices in ensuring employee health and safety. However, the same is not true in case of the national oil companies. Many of these companies also lag on the corporate governance front as their operations are prone to corruption and crony capitalism.”
“Adopting a holistic approach can help company leaders to ensure all aspects of sustainability are covered in their ESG strategy. In 2020, the pressure will mount on companies to be more transparent about their ESG credentials,” Puranik concluded.
Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
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