Managing Director: TAP AG aims to achieve gold standard in emissions by 2026

Managing Director of TAP AG Luca Schieppati has said that the operator of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which delivers Azerbaijani gas to European markets, joined the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) and achieved Level 4 this year.

Schieppati made these remarks during an event on the OGMP at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He explained that tackling leaks and emissions was a clear priority for the gas industry.

Schieppati mentioned that they began their operations in late 2020, and from the outset, it was crucial for them to focus on overall emissions, including greenhouse gases, and specifically on addressing methane leaks. The company has developed an emissions management plan and already achieved significant results.

The managing director stated that annual testing is conducted at their facilities across three countries, and they have achieved a 70 per cent reduction compared to the initial measurements in 2021. 

Schieppati also mentioned that they joined the OGMP last year and immediately reached Level 4 this year.

He also expressed confidence that the company will meet the gold standard by 2026, as envisioned by Italgaz. It's important to note that this achievement pertains not only to the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor but also to SOCAR, which has joined the OGMP. As a result, the entire Southern Gas Corridor is focused on this priority.

The managing director explained that all of this requires attention and reorganisation, but it is a critical element for continuing sustainable development. 

He emphasised that it is not just about secure supplies or diversification; rather, it is a long-term path towards resilience as a source of emissions reduction. 

Schieppati noted that reducing the carbon footprint, including methane and leakages, is a central part of this process. 

The managing director added that this is a priority for the companies, ensuring that, in the long term, they not only contribute to safer, more reliable gas transportation and the integration of renewable and low-carbon gases into the system, but also guarantee that they are not negatively impacting the future.

As mentioned earlier, the OGMP is also a key framework for ensuring compliance with methane emissions regulations, and Schieppati concluded that this is the right approach to take.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, transporting natural gas to Europe from the Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP crosses Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network.

COP29, being held from November 11 to 22 at Baku Stadium, represents Azerbaijan's largest and most significant international event to date, marking the first time the country has hosted a COP summit. The event began with the signing of a Host Country Agreement and other important documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. A central focus of COP29 is the establishment of a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. In line with this, the presidency of COP29 has introduced 14 key initiatives that link climate action to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These initiatives cover areas such as green energy corridors, energy storage, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the development of green digital technologies. One of the flagship proposals is the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at supporting the critical goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout COP29, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its commitment to climate action and environmental protection. The unanimous decision to elect Azerbaijan as the host for this summit underscores the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in global climate efforts, underscoring the country’s dedication to mitigating climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova