Main events and initiatives in 2020

Energy transition and technological innovation

Snam was among the protagonists of the 23rd edition of Ecomondo, the Rimini trade fair on technological innovation and sustainable development. On this occasion, Snam set up its “Green Village”, a pavilion consisting of four islands dedicated to energy efficiency, biomethane, sustainable mobility and innovative forms of gas storage and compression.

As far as sustainable mobility is concerned, Snam has participated in numerous dedicated events at national level, including Quattroruote’s “Q Talk”, Forum Automotive, Grand Opening & Ecomobility Days, Oil & Non Oil, Visionary Days, the event launching the agreement with DN Logistica and Scania to enhance LNG as a sustainable fuel for heavy transport and the “Quattroruote Days” in which CEO Marco Alverà took part.

With regard to energy efficiency issues, the Group took part in talks and events in the sector, including “Efficient and sustainable condominiums: an opportunity for Taranto”, the IFHE International Congress, the Gabetti Lab Ecobonus Day, “Sustainability up close”, “Sustainable cities” (in collaboration with Luiss Business School and Confindustria) and the Anaci Webinar. In addition, a number of sponsorships have been activated in 2020 to consolidate its position as a key player in the energy transition. The main ones were: Forum The European House – Ambrosetti Cernobbio, European Gas Conference, Meeting di Rimini, Pontignano Conference, Ecomondo, EcoMed, ForumUniCig, Ecofuturo. Finally, Snam also brought its experience of innovation to Digital Week, the event promoted by the City of Milan to discuss digital transformation in all its aspects. During the event, the company had the opportunity to meet with stakeholders from the digital ecosystem and start-ups, telling them about its path of technological evolution and digitalisation.

Enhancement of territories

To promote the enhancement of the territories in which it operates, Snam has created the volume The Thin Line, a publishing project that recounts, through the images of places and the voices of communities, the journey through five Italian regions in which Snam operates, highlighting the company’s ability to integrate into different contexts. The testimony of the stakeholders and the photos taken refer to the route of the network that crosses the country in full respect of ecosystems, guaranteeing sustainable development and a response to the climate challenge.

The Thin Line, which adds to the editorial works on the commitment to protecting and enhancing territories and the environment already carried out in recent years, describes the development path that the Company has always taken throughout its history, the values in which it believes and what it will create in the future.

Increasingly plasticless

The issue of the use and recycling of plastics is fully in line with Snam’s commitments to combat pollution, climate-changing emissions and promote a circular economy.

To reinforce the programme initiated to reduce the use of plastic materials and aware of the serious environmental problems deriving from their disposal, the Company participates in the LifeGate PlasticLess^® project which, with the help of Seabin technology or floating bins positioned in port waters, aims to clean the seas of dispersed plastic waste, promoting the spread of good sustainable practices. Positioned at strategic points in harbours and boat clubs, these little allies catch over 500 kg of plastic waste a year, including the tiny and insidious microplastics and microfibres which, if ingested by aquatic fauna, cause damage and enter the food chain, ending up right on our tables.

The first step in supporting the project was taken by Snam together with LifeGate in the port of Messina with the installation of a new Seabin device, the inauguration of which was the occasion for a digital meeting between the company and the local authorities and to reaffirm the company’s commitment to defending the environment and enhancing local areas.

Hydrogen advocacy activities

For years now, the Group has been spokesman for the need to increase the production and penetration of green hydrogen worldwide, also by using existing infrastructures, in order to disseminate and develop best practices that contribute to achieving the objectives of decarbonisation and energy transition in the most efficient way possible. To this end, the Green Hydrogen Catapult has been created, involving not only Snam but also a number of industry leaders in green hydrogen, including ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia), CWP Renewables (Australia), Envision (Italy), Iberdrola (Spain), Ørsted (Denmark) and Yara (Norway), to stimulate the development of 25 GW of green hydrogen production capacity by 2026 and with the aim of halving current production costs to below USD 2 per kilogram.

In addition, Group CEO Marco Alverà has been a guest at major international events relating to the hydrogen business: the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the Hydrogen Council CEO Meeting, the World Hydrogen Congress, the European Hydrogen Forum, the Financial Times Energy Transition Forum and the WoodMac Energy Summit. As part of the partnership with Sole24Ore, Snam also took part in the “Italian Energy Summit” and the “Made in Italy Restart”, organised in collaboration with the British newspaper Financial Times.