Climate protection

Greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere by Snam operations are carbon dioxide CO₂ and methane (CH₄), a primary component of natural gas. The CO₂ produced is directly related to fuel consumption, while methane emissions are triggered by the release of natural gas into the atmosphere resulting from the regular operation of systems, the connection of new pipelines and maintenance works on them or accidental events involving infrastructures.

In 2016, total GHG emissions (direct Scope 1, indirect Scope 2 and Scope 3) stood at 1.80 million tonnes of CO_2eq (1.70 million tonnes in 2015). The increase in emissions (+5.9% compared with 2015) is mainly due to gas transportation activities which saw a rise in the gas injected into the network from 67.25 billion cubic metres in 2015 to 70.63 billion in 2016.

Thanks to the actions implemented during the year, the emission into the atmosphere of 85,770 tonnes of CO_2eq has been prevented.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

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TOTAL DIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 1-2-3 (ktCO_2eq)

Direct emissions of CO_2eq (Scope 1)

In 2016, direct CO_2eq emissions were equal to approximately 1.44 million tonnes (+4.8% compared with 2015). Direct CO₂ emissions from combustion were equal to approximately 0.6 million tonnes (+22.5% compared with 2015), while CO_2eq emissions from methane stood at approximately 0.835 million tonnes.

Specifically, natural gas emissions were reduced in 2015, (-3%), going from 49.7 Mm³ to 48.2 Mm³ as a result of both the lower emissions from emergencies and the greater recovery of gas in the transportation system (4.5 million cubic metres of natural gas recovered, equal to 77,780 tonnes of CO_2eq).

In transportation activities, methane emissions per kilometre of the network fell from 0.72 tonnes in 2015 to 0.66 tonnes per kilometre (-9%).

TOTAL DIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 1 (ktCO_2eq)

TOTAL DIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 1 (ktCO_2eq)

NATURAL GAS EMISSIONS (10⁶m³)

METHANE EMISSIONS/LENGHT OF NETWORK (t/km)

Indirect emissions of CO_2eq (Scope 2)

Indirect emissions of CO_2eq come from the production of electricity by third-parties and which Snam uses for its operations.

In 2016, these emissions were recalculated and compared, for previous years as well, according to the most recent best practices, adopting two approaches called Market Base (MB) and Location Base (LB).

In 2016 indirect emissions of CO_2eq calculated using the MB approach were equal to 27,390 tonnes (+3.6% compared with 2015), while the same emissions measured using the LB approach stood at 28,280 tonnes, a 5.1% increase compared with the previous year.

INDIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 2 (ktCO_2eq)

The comparison between these two values highlights the impact on emissions of using energy produced from renewable sources. Snam has increased its consumption of the latter in 2016 as well, therefore preventing the emission into the atmosphere of approximately 7,630 tonnes of CO_2eq equal to approximately 27% of the company’s total indirect emissions (scope 2).

Indirect emissions of CO_2eq (Scope 3)

Scope 3 indirect emissions totalled approximately 334,000 tonnes and refer, for 99%, to CO_2eq emissions related to supply chain with the residual part related to business travel. They are calculated by applying a method developed by a leading international company which analyses the carbon footprint.

The 11% increase in emissions compared with 2015 is due to the greater amount of procurement activated by the supply chain.

INDIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 3 (ktCO_2eq)

INDIRECT GHG EMISSIONS - SCOPE 3-SUPPLY CHAIN (ktCO_2eq)