Italian energy giant Eni has reiterated its commitment to giving top priority to its decarbonization process in order to boost growth.
The company, which stated this in its 2022 report, said it recognized the commitment had brought about opportunities to convert existing activities and foster the development of new production chains with significant potential in the countries where it operates.
It stated, “In Eni’s strategy, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are a fundamental reference for conducting activities in the countries of operations. Agri-business projects, for example, embody the fundamental pillars of Eni approach for the just transition, an energy transition with a strong innovative component combined with a concrete focus on the social dimension.
“In this context, Eni is committed to ensuring that the decarbonisation process offers opportunities to convert existing activities and develop new production chains with significant perspectives in the countries where it operates. In 2022, the first cargo of vegetable oil produced in Kenya not competing with the food production chain, from waste and raw materials produced on degraded land, was delivered to Eni’s biorefining plant in Gela, with substantial positive impacts on employment and local development. The model will be replicated in other countries.”
The company noted that to achieve a just transition, particular attention was being paid to initiatives to promote access to energy and education in its countries of operation.
It added, “These include the projects in Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ghana to facilitate access to clean cooking. In Côte d’Ivoire, more than 20,000 cooking stoves were distributed in just six months, reaching more than 100,000 beneficiaries.
“In Nigeria, the company improved access to water through the commissioning of 22 water wells powered with photovoltaic systems. Furthermore, Eni has promoted the right to education in Congo, Ghana, Iraq, Mexico, Mozambique, and Egypt, where it opened the Zohr Applied Technology School to significantly increase the number of youths with upgraded technical and professional skills in the energy and technology fields.”
Describing the company’s contribution to a just transition that ensures access to efficient and sustainable energy, the Chief Executive Officer, Eni, Claudio Descalzi, asserted that sharing the social and economic benefits of the path towards net zero emissions by 2050 with employees, suppliers, communities, and customers with an inclusive and transparent approach was essential.
He said, “In addressing the challenges in the energy sector that Eni faces, we keep our priorities firmly on track with an ongoing commitment to promote energy access, local development, and environmental protection. The success of our strategy cannot be achieved without collaboration with our stakeholders, from private individuals to the public sector, international organisations, civil society associations, and research institutes. Today, more than ever, it is necessary to pool resources and human capital, through a broad vision that allows us to align our common goals, reduce geographical gaps, and promote global human progress.
