Climate protection GRI - G4: EN7, EN15, EN16, EN17, EN19

Greenhouse gases

The greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of Snam are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄), the main component of natural gas. CO₂ is a by-product of the combustion process and is directly associated with the consumption of fuels, while the emissions of natural gas, and therefore CH₄, derive partly from the normal operation of the plants and partly from the atmospheric emissions due to the connection of new pipelines and maintenance or to accidental events of the transportation and distribution networks.

In addition to using natural gas as its main fuel, Snam is implementing a series of energy management initiatives to minimise GHG emissions in its operating activities by employing specific containment programmes.

In 2015, total GHG emissions (direct Scope 1, and indirect Scope 2 and Scope 3) were approximately 2.37 million tonnes².

ToTal ghg emission – Scope 1-2-3 (10³ t)

Greenhouse gas emissions – Snam Group

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How Snam works to limit greenhouse gas emissions GRI – G4: EN19

• installation of new higher energy efficiency turbines and more efficient heat generators
• installation of photovoltaic plants in buildings and network plants
• replacement of several traditional light sources with LED lights
• natural gas recovery operations (recompression of gas in the transportation network and compression stations)
• replacement of cast-iron pipes in the gas distribution networks
• replacement of several natural gas-fuelled pneumatic actuators
• acquisition of electricity produced from renewable sources for certain sites that use a particularly high amount of energy
• installation of a system for distributing flows more evenly on reduction lines in some gas measurement and regulation plants
• renovation of buildings to improve their energy efficiency rating
• decreased use of air conditioning through the “no ties” summer programme

Avoided 141,000 tonnes of CO_2eq

The environmental advantages of natural gas

At equal energy usage, the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of natural gas is 25-30% less than petroleum products and 40-50% less than coal. The decrease in emissions per unit of energy produced is further accentuated by the possibility of using natural gas in high-performance applications and technologies, such as condensation boilers, co-generation plants and combined cycles for producing electricity. A gas-powered combined cycle with an output of 56-58%, compared with an output of about 40% from traditional steam-powered cycles, makes it possible to reduce CO₂ emissions by 52% compared with a traditional fuel oil-powered plant and by 62% compared with a coal-powered plant.

Direct CO_2eq emissions (Scope1)

In 2015, direct CO_2eq emissions were approximately 1.91 million tonnes. Direct CO₂ emissions from combustion stood at approximately 0.52 million tonnes, while CO_2eq emissions deriving from methane emissions were approximately 1.39 million tonnes.

In 2015, the Group’s natural gas emissions decreased compared with 2014, from 95 Mm³ to 78.5 Mm³, also taking into account the contribution of the Acam Gas distribution network, accounted for as of 2015. This decrease is partially attributable to the emission reduction activities carried out in gas storage, but it is primarily due to the gas distribution networks following the review of the emission estimation method.

Direct emissions CO_2eq – Scope 1 (10³ t)

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In order to contain natural gas emissions from the transportation network, activities were continued which involve gas recovery through online and compression plant gas recompression interventions (3.6 million cubic metres of natural gas were recovered, representing approximately 63,600 tonnes of CO_2eq), as well as the replacement of several plants in the transportation network and storage facilities and pneumatic equipment. As regards containing natural gas emissions in distribution networks, the Company continued to replace cast-iron piping with higher-performance piping (replacing about 29 km of networks).

Natural gas emissions (10⁶ m³)

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Natural gas recovered transportation activity (10⁶ m³)

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Indirect emissions (Scope 2)

Indirect CO_2eq emissions arise from the use of electricity; in 2015 they made up approximately 31,150 tonnes (-1% compared with 2014)³.

In 2015, Snam increased the number of plants supplying it with electricity generated from renewable sources, including: the Messina and Terranuova Bracciolini compression stations (Snam Rete Gas); the gas storage concession in Brugherio (Stogit); and the regasification plant in Panigaglia (GNL Italia). This operation, as well as the use of photovoltaic panels for power generation, enabled the avoidance of approximately 7,560 tonnes of CO_2eq equal to roughly 25% of the Snam Group’s total indirect emissions (scope 2).

Indirect emissions CO_2eq – Scope 2 (10³ t)

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Indirect emissions (Scope 3)

Indirect Scope 3 emissions refer to CO_2eq emissions related to the supply chain (goods, labour and services) and business travel (business trips, journeys by Snam’s employees as part of their working activities).

In 2015, CO_2eq emissions were approximately 433,000 tonnes (+30% compared with 2014)⁴. This increase is due to supply chain activities, which resulted in greater procurement (+61.5%) compared with the previous year.

Indirect emissions – Scope 3 – Supply chain (10³ t CO_2eq)

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Indirect emissions – Scope 3 – business travel – (10³ t CO_2eq)

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Indirect Scope 3 emissions relating to the supply chain were calculated using methods developed by a leading international company in carbon footprint analysis.