The 2030 decarbonization challenge

The path to the future of energy

Oil and gas

The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Forward

The global energy mix is shifting from fossil fuels to Many participants in the Energy & Resources (E&R) industry
renewables. There are abundant examples of both public have publicly declared their intention to become carbon
and private organizations working hard to decarbonize neutral by 2050. While their long-term vision is clear, the
the economy. As this energy transformation or “Green more perplexing challenge for E&R companies lies in
Deal” gains momentum, new ecosystems are forming and the immediate future. Many companies are struggling to
new technologies are emerging. These developments are understand the material impacts that their stated goals are
helping to grow renewables, develop new energy carriers, going to have on their valuations, operations, employees and
improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and create markets over the next few years.
new markets for carbon and other by-products as part of
an increasingly circular economy. At the same time many of This report explores how companies in certain sectors
these commonly pursued steps to decarbonization, such as of the E&R industry—chemicals, oil and gas, mining and
increased electrification, wide-scale use of renewable energy metals, and power, utilities and renewables—can accelerate
and intensifying energy efficiency measures pose unique decarbonization over the next decade and achieve
challenges. meaningful interim targets by 2030.

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
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Introduction

The transition toward a clean energy future is underway and The change in consumer attitudes, activism and the
it will change almost every aspect of E&R companies’ assets positive impact of reduced mobility and industry on the
and operations. Taking a global view across sectors, the top environment is apparently getting through to companies
drivers of decarbonization include: and industries. More and more are acknowledging that
they need to embrace a low-carbon future not only for
• Customer, employee and community demands.
the sake of the planet, but to improve customer loyalty
• Investor pressure.
and assure their long-term viability. A growing body of
• Policy and government targets. evidence reflects this shift in sentiment. For instance, nearly

• Technology and operational cost reduction—a more three-quarters of United States business respondents in

efficient frontier. the 2020 Deloitte Resources Study said their customers
are demanding that they procure a certain percentage of

A closer examination of each driver suggests that the electricity from renewable resources, and a rising portion

energy transition is anchored in long-term trends, which (77%) actively publicize sourcing of renewables.5 From

is likely to make it capable of withstanding the current sustainable building materials to green minerals, demand is

economic downturn. also increasing for other carbon-neutral products beyond

energy. Meanwhile, a shift in generational values has
occurred. Younger employees increasingly want to work for
Customer, employee and community companies that benefit society in addition to producing a
demands profit.6 The recent rise in employee activism suggests that
A groundswell of support for climate action has arisen across employees are increasingly monitoring company responses
the globe. 2019 saw the biggest climate protests ever as to issues, ranging from gun control to climate change to the
millions took to the streets to demand immediate action to coronavirus pandemic.
tackle climate change and reduce pollution.1 In the estimated
185 countries where demonstrations took place, protesters Policy and government targets
put pressure on governments and businesses to address
Where the public leads, policymakers eventually follow.
urgent sustainability issues, such as rising sea levels in the
Climate strikes and marches around the globe have
Solomon Islands, toxic waste in South Africa, air pollution
illustrated that both employees and customers mean
and plastic waste in India, and expansion of coal extraction
business when it comes to emission reductions. With large
in Australia.2 The economic shutdowns in 2020 in response
swathes of the public demanding action on climate change,
to the coronavirus pandemic have further highlighted the
many governments now have a mandate to set carbon-
environmental damage and pollution that have become the
reduction targets and enact green legislation.
norm for much of the world’s population. In China and India,
for example, the skies cleared over industrial centers for the
first time in years.3,4

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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

The European Union (EU), for instance, aims to be climate- assets under management, is an example13. In 2020 Larry
neutral by 2050. Pursuing an economy with net-zero Fink, BlackRock’s chief executive, declared that “climate
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is at the heart of the risk is investment risk,” and published two letters, one
European Green Deal and aligned with the EU’s commitment to clients and one to CEOs, stating that the group would
to global climate action under the Paris Agreement.7 begin to “place sustainability at the center of its investment
approach.”14 He also predicted that “in the near future—and
China has also announced ambitious carbon-reduction sooner than most anticipate—there will be a significant
goals, having set 2030 as a target for peak emissions as part reallocation of capital to address the climate threat.”15
of the Paris Agreement. China’s near-term goal is to reduce
8

emissions intensity: energy use and carbon emissions for Key aspects of BlackRock’s sustainability strategy include:
every unit of gross domestic product.9 It is currently on
• Selling direct investment in companies that derive more
track to reach its goals after reducing emissions per GDP by
than 25% of their revenues from thermal coal.
5.1% and 4% in 2017 and 2018, respectively.10 More recently,
• Pledging to vote against management teams that do not
China’s decarbonization progress received an unexpected
publish reports in line with the recommendations of the
boost: an analysis by Carbon Brief, a UK-based website
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and
specializing in climate change, estimated that the coronavirus
the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.
shutdown from December 2019 through February 2020 had
temporarily cut China’s carbon emissions by 25%. 11
• Using economic, social and governance (ESG) criteria more
rigorously in active investment strategies.
Beyond setting reduction targets, some governments are • Offering more sustainable investment funds.16
using carbon pricing schemes to accelerate progress toward
their goals. More than 40 governments worldwide have While BlackRock’s strategy made headlines due to the fund’s
now adopted a price on carbon, either through direct taxes size and influence, other investors have also been pressuring
on fossil fuels or through cap-and-trade programs.12 These companies to take more action on climate change. For
programs have so far produced mixed results. Some are instance, Climate Action 100+, which BlackRock has joined,
perceived to be wildly successful while others are viewed as targets high-emission companies and has grown into one
ineffective and expensive at a time when energy customers of the largest investor-led engagement initiatives, with over
cannot bear the added costs. That may be why some 450 investor signatories and representing over US$40 trillion
governments are choosing to tax carbon indirectly through in assets under management across dozens of markets.17
subtler methods such as renewable portfolio standards, Although short-term financial returns generally remain at the
energy efficiency mandates, emissions regulations, and forefront, investor efforts such as these could have profound
carbon-offset pricing. long-term implications for global business and finance,
particularly for the E&R industry.
Investor pressure
In response to policy shifts and customer needs, investors Technology cost reduction
too are taking decarbonization seriously. BlackRock, the Steep reductions in technology costs are helping E&R
world’s largest fund manager, with about US$7 trillion of companies enable their decarbonization strategies.

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
 The path to the future of energy

Energy storage, which is key to large-scale adoption of An opportunity to transform

renewable energy, is a case in point. Average market prices As these drivers intensify and converge, many leading E&R
for battery packs have plunged from US$1,100/kilowatt hour companies are publicly announcing goals related to reducing
(kWh) in 2010 to US$156/kWh in 2019, an 86% fall in real emissions, utilizing renewable energy, and addressing
terms, according to a report released by Bloomberg New climate-related risks. In Deloitte’s recent energy transitions
Energy Finance (BNEF).18 Battery-pack prices are projected survey entitled Navigating the energy transition from
to fall even further to around US$100/kWh by 2023, driving disruption to growth, 89% of E&R executives reported that
electrification across the global economy, according to they either already had a plan in place or were developing
BNEF’s forecast.19 a strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.20 30% of those
executives already had a fully developed plan in place. While
In addition, advancements in digital technology, such as some E&R companies are mainly responding to government
the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, digital twins, and mandates, others see the energy transition as an
AI-enabled energy-management and trading platforms, also opportunity to transform themselves via long-term scenario
promise to boost efficiency and drive costs down across planning over the next 10 to 30 years.
both conventional and renewable energy value chains.

The future of energy

Proactive

Scenario modeling traditionally arrives at a

potential future by examining trends and
considering the effects of variables that
could be encountered along the way. But
Ready, set, innovate One team,one dream
what if researchers took a fundamentally
Proactive societal Proactive societal response
different approach based on the idea that
response to climate to climate change plus an
the future is not determined by trends but change plus independent, open, collaborative global
by what will shape their trajectory? To find regional economies economy
out, the Deloitte Energy, Resources & Independent, Open,
Industrials industry team identified 19 regional collaborative,
economies global economy
uncertainties that will likely influence the
speed and scope of the macro trends that
are underway today. Working backward
along their trajectories, the team arrived at
four plausible and divergent scenarios for Me and my resource Rising tide
what the future of energy might look like in Reactive societal Reactive societal response
2035 from a global perspective. For more response to climate to climate change plus an
information on Deloitte’s Future of Energy change plus independent, open, collaborative global
Scenarios visit our website regional economies economy
Reactive

Societal response to climate change Global dynamics

5
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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Thus far, the transition to a low-carbon economy has largely processes, such as smelting and calcining. For instance,
been led by the power and utilities (including renewables) in July 2019 BHP announcement their intention to invest
sector. Emissions from leading power and utilities companies US$400 million over five years on low emissions technologies
around the globe have fallen dramatically since 2015, and natural climate solutions and support partnerships
according to an analysis commissioned by the World to address Scope 3 emissions.27 Since then, they have
Economic Forum.22 Point380, a specialist data analytics firm, identified approximately US$350 million of investment
performed the analysis using company data reported to opportunities and are now beginning to allocate funding.
the CDP, a not-for-profit organization that monitors global The initial investments will focus on reducing operational
emissions.23 The reductions are likely due to a combination emissions initially through the purchase of renewable energy
of factors, including: and on Scope 3 emissions in the steelmaking sector, with
a particular focus on emerging technologies that have the
• Green policies, such as carbon pricing schemes and
potential to be scaled for widespread use28. Similarly, Rio
renewable portfolio standards, which are driving power
generators away from coal-fired thermal generation. Tinto plans to spend US$1 billion over the next five years on
climate-related projects.29 It has also exited coal production,
• An abundance of low-cost, cleaner-burning natural gas,
agreed to an asset-by-asset review of its emission reduction
which is being used as a bridge fuel in transitioning away
targets, and joined the Energy Transitions Commission to
from coal.
accelerate progress on hard-to-abate sectors.30 Meanwhile,
• Supportive incentives to invest in renewables and bring CEMEX has announced an ambitious strategy to reduce its
down the price of technology. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 35% by 2030.31

• Commitments from large commercial and industrial

customers such as those in the RE100 initiative to source Companies in the oil, gas and chemicals sectors, whose core
100% of their power from renewable sources24. business models are based on producing and processing
hydrocarbons, have generally been slower to change.

Building on the progress made, some power and utilities Nonetheless, several companies are now seizing upon the

companies are raising the bar on their own, without transition to a low-carbon economy as a means to transform

further prompting from regulators. For instance, the Italian not only how they operate, but also what they offer. Shell,

multinational energy corporation, Enel, set a carbon-neutral Repsol, Equinor, Total, and bp have developed initial

ambition for 2030, well before the 2050 goal of many investment plans to diversify their businesses and have set

companies. To attain this goal, the company is pursuing an

25 long term energy intensity targets to reduce emissions.32

ambitious global investment plan to expand its renewables Their plans include investing in renewable energy sources,

generation portfolio.26 such as solar, wind, hydrogen and biofuels, as well as

expanding into ancillary low-carbon businesses such as

Mining and metals organizations came under public pressure battery packs and grid-balancing technologies.33

early to reduce GHG emissions as part of preserving a social

license to operate. Consequently, some are already working With cross-sector intentions, the scale of Oil Majors’
toward electrifying their operations and are collaborating commitments could be a game-changer for the E&R
with industry associations and other groups to develop industry. For instance, within 10 years bp anticipates having
innovative solutions for decarbonizing energy-intensive increased its annual low-carbon investment 10-fold to

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
 The path to the future of energy

around US$5 billion per year.34 This investment is expected 2017 to mid-2019. During this period, these 112 companies
to encompass a variety of low-carbon technologies, including collectively emitted 4.53 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, of
renewables, bioenergy and early positions in hydrogen and which 96% was attributable to E&R—oil and gas, chemicals,
carbon capture, usage and sequestration (CCUS).35 Likewise, mining and metals, and power and utilities. Though these
Total has announced its intention to become a leading figures can only be approximate given variations in reporting
international player in renewable energies and has allocated standards, they still illustrate the magnitude of the challenge
significant funds toward achieving this goal. The company
36
that lies ahead.
currently allocates more than 10% of its capex to low-carbon
electricity, and it plans to increase this allocation to 20% by Decarbonization involves heavy lifting. For companies
2030 or sooner.37 pursuing these goals, it requires a transformational shift in
the way they operate: how they source, use, consume and
Similarly, several multinational chemical companies have think about energy and feedstocks and how they engage
launched transformational initiatives centered upon with multiple stakeholders. It also requires a significant
sustainability. DuPont, for instance, has committed to: financial commitment from investors and governments. The
integrating circular economy principles into its business energy transition also has sector-wide implications for how
models; designing 100% of its products and processes E&R companies interact with each other as well as for how
using sustainability criteria including the principles of green the sectors themselves may combine and converge.
chemistry; and reducing GHG emissions by 30% by 2030,
including sourcing 60% of its electricity from renewable To help companies navigate their way to the future of
energy.38 energy, the following sections examine the current state of
decarbonization across four E&R sectors: chemicals; oil and
The desire to refashion themselves is not limited to the gas; mining and metals; and power, utilities, and renewables.
world’s largest companies. For example, Occidental, an
integrated energy company with oil, gas, and chemicals Each analysis examines the current state of decarbonization
operations and low-carbon ventures, recently announced in the sector; distinct or outsized macro drivers; which
its bold aspiration to become completely carbon-neutral by emissions are within a company’s control; and potential
using CCUS and by developing other economic applications decarbonization pathways and practical considerations
for CO2.39 that may influence a company’s decarbonization strategies
and tactics. For the purposes of this paper we will use the
Navigating the future of energy emissions taxonomy put forth by the Greenhouse Gas
Protocol: Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from
Although the transition to a low-carbon economy is gaining
owned or controlled sources; Scope 2 emissions are indirect
momentum, there is still much work to be done. In a 2019,
emissions from the generation of purchased energy; and
Monitor Deloitte Australia conducted a market study of 112
Scope 3 emissions are all indirect emissions (not included
companies around the world, 69% of them in the Energy,
in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting
Resources & Industrials industry. Data came from publicly
company, including both upstream and downstream
available disclosures and sustainability reporting from
emissions.40

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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Oil and gas

Global oil and gas markets have been upended. The Which emissions are under an oil and gas
contraction in global demand caused by the coronavirus
pandemic and excess supply from the oil price war
company’s control?
between OPEC and other major producers have hit Scope 1 and 2 emissions, those that are produced during
upstream and downstream operations hard. Cutting operations, are largely under an oil and gas company’s
carbon emissions may be a priority for some companies control. Accordingly, common mitigation strategies focus
in the short-term, but the difficult market conditions are on lowering the carbon intensity of the value chain by:
likely to encourage those who survive the current crisis to • Electrifying operations and incorporating renewables
articulate decarbonization pathways, examine different to fulfill power needs.
business models and demonstrate a disciplined approach
to capital expenditures. • Enhancing energy efficiency and reducing energy
intensity.

Distinct or outsized drivers • Adopting low or no emission fuels such as hydrogen,

Like the other sectors, oil and gas companies are feeling efuels/synthetic fuels, biofuels and ammonia.
pressure from all sides to reduce emissions. However, • Improving logistics to reduce fuel consumption.
investor pressure has been particularly intense and direct. For instance, invoking the principles of a sharing
On March 6, 2020, UBS announced that it would no longer
economy, some operators coordinate logistics,
fund offshore drilling in the Arctic.41 Multiple United States
including trucks, marine vessels and helicopters,
banks, including Wells Fargo & Company and Goldman
to optimize transport times and volumes.
Sachs, had previously announced similar policy shifts 42.
Investors want to understand the long term investment • Establishing common standards and leading
strategies of oil and gas companies in a world seeking practices for improved energy efficiency and
to limit the increase in global temperatures to well decreased emissions.
below 2°C.

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
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• Reducing routine flaring. • Turning Scope 3 emissions into a business

opportunity: Another path is to turn CO2 into a valuable
• Employing methane capture.
raw material, not just a waste product that must be
• Optimizing production and reservoir management through
controlled. Trillion dollar markets have been predicted
the use of digital tools such as IoT sensors, digital twins,
for the use of CO2 as a feedstock for a variety of building
and virtual reality to model scenarios, monitor operations,
materials, chemicals and fuels. The value of CO2 has
track emissions and energy usage and proactively maintain
already been demonstrated in enhanced oil recovery
equipment.
processes. Some uses for CO2 sound more like science
• Producing lower-emission products—moving from one fiction than fact. For instance, C2CNT, a Canadian company,
hydrocarbon to another (for example, from coal to natural is using “molten electrolysis” to transform CO2 directly
gas) or creating another product (such as biofuels or into carbon nanotubes, which are stronger than steel and
syngas). highly conductive.43

• Increasing reuse or employing additive manufacturing to

decrease waste and increase supply-chain flexibility. Carbon capture technologies have been rapidly evolving
on a parallel track. Engineers at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology recently developed a new way to
Practical considerations remove carbon dioxide from the air.44 Unlike traditional
To satisfy investors and remain viable during the transition, carbon capture technologies, this system can remove any
oil and gas companies essentially have two primary avenues concentration of CO2, from the high levels in power-plant
for transforming their business models. emissions to the relatively low ones in open air.45 Although
• Diversifying into other forms of energy and enabling they may not yet be commercially viable, breakthroughs
technologies: Some companies have decided to build up of this kind could gain traction. If they do, there could be
competencies in renewables, often focusing on biofuels a race to capture carbon emissions and sell them as a
such as wind and solar power, smart technologies to help valuable commodity.
balance the electrical grid as more intermittent renewables
come online, or energy-efficient methods for producing As they transform their business models, many oil and gas
green hydrogen. Others are acquiring companies in companies are simultaneously considering decarbonization
ancillary sectors, such as solar installers or electric vehicle pathways for their existing upstream and downstream
(EV) charging stations, to expand their portfolio of low- to businesses, often proactively working with ecosystem
no-emissions offerings. Regardless of the strategy, an partners to accelerate that process.
overarching trend is emerging. Many oil and gas companies
are shifting their business models so that more value is For instance, bp recently announced its ambition to become
created through downstream customers, rather than net zero by 2050 if not sooner, along with a new strategy
upstream assets. For instance, an oil and gas company for pivoting from “an international oil company focused
might purchase a retail power provider to offer biofuels on producing resources to an integrated energy company
bundled with renewable electricity. focused on delivering solutions for customers.”46

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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

As part of this transformation, bp intends to develop the industry, and it presents 12 potential solutions or
approximately 50 gigawatts (GW) of net renewable recommendations for action.55
generating capacity, partner with 10-15 cities and three
core industries in decarbonization efforts, and double its Despite ambitions like these, obstacles exist. For some,
customer interactions to 20 million per day—all by 2030.47 differences in finance models are a barrier. On the one
hand, upstream businesses have historically generated
Meanwhile, Repsol states that it was the first energy higher margins than renewables, although the recent oil
company to make the commitment to achieve net zero price reductions have helped to close that gap. On the other
emissions by 2050 in alignment with the climate objectives hand, developing a portfolio of renewable generation assets
set out by the Paris Agreement. The company has
48
generally carries much less risk than drilling offshore or in
established intermediate decarbonization goals for 2025, other challenging geographies.
2030, and 2040, and it has outlined a decarbonization
strategy that addresses emissions from both its operations There are many questions as to how these shifting risk
and its products. This strategy includes collaborating
49
and financial factors could play out for traditional oil and
with auto manufacturers to develop sustainable mobility gas investors since they will probably need to adjust to
markets.50 For example, Repsol has partnered with Kia having a portfolio of different businesses within the same
Motors Corporation to create WiBLE, a car-sharing service corporation. Also, oil and gas companies will likely need
that uses fully electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. to review their dividend policies to make sure they are
consistent with the risk profiles and returns of their existing
Shell has outlined a net carbon footprint ambition that businesses as well as those they are trying to develop.
includes diversification and ecosystem involvement. It However, the supply and demand imbalance may have
recently announced a short-term target of reducing its net permanently altered the dividend context.
carbon footprint by 3% to 4% by the end of 2022, along with
its intention to set targets annually, with each year’s target Amid difficult market conditions almost all oil and gas
covering either a three or five-year period.51 The company companies are looking more rigorously at their capital
has also partially linked executive pay, and that of around allocations. Some are choosing to invest only in known
16,500 employees, to its carbon-reduction targets.52 geographies. Others are limiting capital expenditures
to projects that are likely to be viable in a lower demand
In addition, Shell aims to address value-chain emissions environment. This includes developing new technologies to
by helping other sectors decarbonize. To this end, the
53
support a circular economy, such as CCUS, waste-to-fuel and
company has published a joint report with Deloitte that waste-to-feedstock conversion, and smart grids to support
outlines industry perspectives on how to reduce emissions the two-way flow of power and information. With capital
in the shipping sector.54 Decarbonising Shipping: All Hands allocations coming under greater scrutiny, new large-scale
on Deck presents the views of 80 senior shipping executives, exploration and development projects may be constrained
representing 22 countries and almost all segments of for some time.

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
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Collaboration on the Norwegian continental shelf

The oil and gas industry in Norway set the goal of cutting Association, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions
emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. To (LO), and LO members of the United Federation of Trade
accomplish this goal, the sector has begun to exploit Unions, and the Norwegian Union of Industry and Energy
synergies between the petroleum sector and offshore Workers (Industry Energy).
floating and fixed wind power. These efforts include
Equinor’s commitment to floating wind power in the Low- and zero-emission fuels are a current area of focus
Tampen area of the North Sea. Norway also has a carbon for the group since they are essential to achieving large
tax, which has prompted companies to focus on reducing emission reductions in the maritime sector, where only
their power needs throughout the lifecycle of a field. For energy-dense products such as biogas, hydrogen and
instance, Equinor has developed the technological ammonia can deliver the power a ship requires.
capability to simulate the entire drainage strategy for a Hydrogen-powered offshore supply ships are already
field, optimizing it not just from an economic point of view under development. The oil and gas sector in Norway is
but also in terms of the power that will be needed also engaged in various projects to produce hydrogen
throughout its life cycle. from water and renewable electricity as well as from
natural gas with CCS. Also, Equinor has entered into an
Norway’s national approach to meeting the Paris agreement with the shipping company Eidesvik Offshore
Agreement’s goals demonstrates the power of to enable the Viking Energy supply ship to run for long
cross-industry collaboration. Interrelated sectors come distances on pure ammonia without GHG emissions.
together to develop leading practices and decarbonization
Source: KonKraft Report 2020, “The energy industry of tomorrow on the Norwegian
strategies through KonKraft, a collaboration arena for the Continental Shelf: Climate strategy towards 2030 and 2050,”
Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, the Federation of https://konkraft.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/
The-energy-industry-on-the-NCS.-climate-strategy-towards-2030-and-2050.pdf.
Norwegian Industries, the Norwegian Shipowners Accessed August 20, 2020

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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Cross-sector solutions

Understanding the financial impact of climate-related risks and all LNG facilities are close to the coast. There have also
and opportunities on their businesses is imperative for been many days of extreme heat, above 40°C (104°F), where
companies across all sectors. In time, greater scrutiny will be workers need more breaks, reducing productivity56. Fires,
placed on organizations to not just disclose but respond to too, have come close to critical infrastructure, triggering
the transition and physical risks that lie on the path to the shutdowns and pre-emptive power outages.
future of energy.
In this environment, markets are beginning to scrutinize the
Transition risks include depressed asset values, stranded methodologies companies use to prepare for the energy
assets and changing market demand. For example, transition to ensure they are adhering to science-based
midstream companies that own gas pipelines may someday targets and developing effective strategies for risk mitigation
encounter decreased utilization or disuse, the odds of which and carbon abatement. Robust, science-based analytical
increase with time. An unintended consequence of the tools and frameworks are likely to become essential. Such
transition could be that the big companies will exit the space. tools can help companies to identify decarbonization
This has happened with coal mining and coal-fired power pathways and prioritize abatement projects by analyzing
plants in the United States and Europe to some extent, their costs and linking them directly to science-based targets.
raising the question of who ends up owning high-emissions
assets as they wind down. It might be a race to the bottom, As executives figure out how to manage the decarbonization
with the least socially responsible companies the only ones challenges within their company and sector, they should not
willing to take these assets on, potentially creating new risks. forget that vertical integration and cross-sector consolidation
Another question is at what stage do asset valuations start to may be part of the solution. This could begin with bilateral
take into account the eventual phase out of fossil fuels. partnerships but evolve into partnerships or acquisitions
throughout the value chain. For instance, a mining company
Physical risks include direct and indirect impacts of severe could merge with a cement-maker, or an oil and gas company
weather on infrastructure, worker safety and productivity. could acquire a battery manufacturer or enter into a
The industry has already seen far too many real-life joint venture with an EV automaker. In a world where the
examples. The E&R industry in Australia offers a case traditional lines between sectors are blurring, these types of
in point; stronger typhoons in Northern Australia have non-traditional amalgamations may become routine.
repeatedly caused shutdowns because some mine sites

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 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
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Conclusion

Towards the new circular economy

For companies that emit and/or produce hydrocarbons, New technologies make it possible to use CO2 as a feedstock
the pressure to change is building on all sides. But as the for chemicals and plastics. Waste-to-hydrogen plants are
problems become more urgent, they are also becoming being built. Renewable electricity is rapidly descending the
more feasible to solve. The emergence of a low-carbon, cost curve. This suggests the E&R industry is on the cusp of
circular economy is now possible and many governments a paradigm shift that could transform waste from a problem
and regulators are starting to show their support. They now to a solution.
stand to gain, rather than lose, political capital by enacting
policies that spur climate action and establish a circular Instead of pondering how to dispose of CO2 and other waste,
economy. many companies may by 2030 view everything they produce,
including emissions, by-products and end-products, as a
While the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic may resource that can be traded to create economic value. New
slow progress in the short term, it is also shining a spotlight partnerships and markets are likely to form. Substances
on the human impacts of pollution and climate change, thus long emitted or discarded as costly nuisances can become
advancing the decarbonization agenda in the long run. What products that companies want to buy. And a new, cleaner,
emissions or waste products are attractive to acquire is an more circular economy can emerge.
interesting question that arises.

About Deloitte’s Decarbonization Solutions

The Decarbonization Solutions package provided by Panel on Climate Change, shared socio-economic
Deloitte member firms, includes modules relating to scenarios from the International Institute for Applied
abatement portfolio management, decarbonization Systems Analysis, and methodologies from the
scenarios, abatement pathways, and impact analysis Science-based Targets Initiative, among others. The
as well as modules to help consider physical climate risk. modules compare forecast emissions reductions from
The modules leverage scientific information from leading selected abatement projects with short, medium and
bodies and methodologies including Represented longer-term aspirations and pathways as well as identify
Concentration Pathways from the Intergovernmental physical climate risks.

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The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Contacts

Global contacts
Rajeev Chopra Stanley Porter Andrew Swart
Global Industry Leader – Global Sector Leader – Global Sector Leader –
Energy, Resources & Industrials Power, Utilities & Renewables Mining & Metals
Global Sector Leader – Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
Oil, Gas & Chemicals Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
Email: [email protected]

Country contacts
Argentina Canada Columbia
Ricardo Ruiz Jurgen Beier Gustavo Ramirez
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Argentina Deloitte Canada Deloitte Columbia
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Australia Chile Denmark

Ian Sanders Marcel Andres Villegas Mikkel Boe
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Australia Deloitte Chile Deloitte Denmark
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Brazil China France

Carlos Nogueira Nicacio Kevin Guo Veronique Laurent
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Brazil Deloitte China Deloitte France
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

14
 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
 The path to the future of energy

Germany Middle East Spain

Thomas Doebler Bart Cornelissen Felipe Requejo
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Germany Deloitte Middle East Deloitte Spain
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

India Netherlands Singapore

Debasish Mishra Eric Vennix Brent Vasconcellos
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte India Deloitte Netherlands Deloitte Singapore
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Italy Norway Turkey

Angelo Era Johannes Wiik Elif Duþmez Tek
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Italy Deloitte Norway Deloitte Turkey
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Japan Peru United Kingdom

Koji Miwa Antonio Mella Julian Small
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Japan Deloitte Peru Deloitte UK
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Korea Russia United States

Jong Woo Lee Gennady Kamyshnikov Stanley Porter
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Korea Deloitte Russia Deloitte US
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Mexico South Africa

Arturo Garcia Bello Andrew Lane
Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Deloitte Mexico Deloitte South Africa
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

15
The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

Contributors
Oil, Gas & Chemicals

Rajeev Chopra Duane Dickson Johannes Wiik

Global Leader Oil, Gas & Chemicals Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader
Energy, Resources & Industrials Deloitte US Deloitte Norway
Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu Limited

Wolfgang Falter Bart Cornelissen Tim Archer

Sustainability Leader Energy, Resources & Industrials Leader Oil, Gas & Chemicals Leader
Deloitte Germany Deloitte Middle East Deloitte North & South Europe

Power, Utilities & Renewables

Stanley Porter Laureano Alvarez Marlene Motyka

Global Sector Leader Partner, Consulting Global Renewable Energy Leader
Power, Utilities & Renewables, Power, Utilities & Renewables Deloitte US
Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu Limited Deloitte Spain

Felipe Requejo James Thompson

Global Consulting Leader Power, Utilities & Renewables Leader
Power, Utilities & Renewables Deloitte US
Deloitte Spain

Mining & Metals

Andrew Swart John O’Brien Tim Biggs

Global Sector Leader Partner Mining & Metals Leader
Mining & Metals Deloitte Australia Deloitte UK
Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu Limited

Additional contributors

Geoff Tuff Tarek Helmi Kate Hardin

Principal Consulting Partner Consulting Executive Director
Deloitte US Deloitte Netherlands Energy, Resources & Industrials
Center for Research
Deloitte US

16
 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
 The path to the future of energy

Endnotes

1. he biggest climate protest ever,” The Guardian, September 20, 2019. 12. Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovish, “These countries have prices
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/21/across-the- on carbon. Are they working?”, The New York Times, April 2, 2019,
globe-millions-join-biggest-climate-protest-ever, accessed August https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/02/climate/pricing-
25, 2020. carbon-emissions.html, accessed August 25, 2020.

2. Ibid. 13. Blackrock website, https://www.blackrock.com/sg/en/about-us,

assessed Auguat 20, 2020.
3. Lauren Sommer, “Why China’s air has been clearer during the
coronavirus outbreak,” NPR, March 4, 2020, https://www.npr.org/ 14. Larry Fink, “A fundamental reshaping of finance,” BlackRock, January
sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/04/811019032/why-chinas-air-has- 2020, https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/investor-relations/larry-
been-cleaner-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak, accessed August 25, fink-ceo-letter accessed August 25, 2020.
2020.
15. Ibid.
4. Sushmita Pathak, “With coronavirus lockdown, India’s cities see clear
16. Ibid.
blue skies as air pollution drops, April 10, 2020, NPR, https://www.
npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/10/831592401/ 17. Climate Action 100+, “Global investors driving business transition,”
with-coronavirus-lockdown-indias-cities-see-clear-blue-skies-as-air- http://www.climateaction100.org/, accessed June 22, 2020.
pollution-dr, accessed August 26, 2020.
18. Matthew Bandyk, “Battery prices fall nearly 50% in three years,
5. Marlene Motyka, et al., Deloitte Resources 2020 Study, Deloitte spurring more electrification: BNEF,” Utility Dive, December 3, 2019,
Insights, 2020, https://documents.deloitte.com/insights/ https://www.utilitydive.com/news/battery-prices-fall-nearly-50-in-
DeloitteResourses2020Study. 3-years-spurring-more-electrification-b/568363/, accessed August
25, 2020.
6. Lauren Coleman, “Why is employee activism on the rise?”
Forbes, May 30, 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ 19. Ibid.
laurencoulman/2019/05/30/why-is-employee-activism-on-the-
rise/#50c8591b74b1, accessed August 25, 2020. 20. Stanley Porter, et al., “Navigating the energy transition from
disruption to growth: Energy and industrial companies are
7. European Commission, “Climate Action: 2050 long-term strategy,” positioned for a low-carbon future,” Deloitte Insights, July 8, 2020,
https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en, accessed https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/multimedia/podcasts/
June 22, 2020. future-of-energy-us-energy-transition.html, accessed August 25,
2020.
8. Dan Murtaugh, “China is the emissions behemoth. Can it change
fast enough?” Bloomberg Green, January 21, 2020, https://www. 21. Ibid.
bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-21/where-china-stands-on-
climate-target-goals-from-5-year-plan, accessed August 25, 2020. 22. Emily Farnworth, “Which Businesses are Leading the Way on Climate
Action,” Forbes, December 12, 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/
9. Ibid. worldeconomicforum/2019/12/12/which-businesses-are-leading-
the-way-on-climate-action/#3f24a21777e6, accessed August 26,
10. Ibid.
2020.
11. Lauri Myllyvirta, “Analysis: Coronavirus temporarily reduced China’s
23. Ibid.
CO2 emissions by a quarter,” Carbon Brief, February 19, 2020,
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-coronavirus-has-temporarily- 24. RE100 web site, https://www.there100.org/, accessed September 11,
reduced-chinas-co2-emissions-by-a-quarter, accessed August 25, 2020.
2020.

17
 The 2030 decarbonization challenge | The path to the future of energy

25. Ibid. 37. Ibid.

26. Ibid. 38. DuPont Press Release, “DuPont Announces 2030 Sustainability
Goals,” October 30, 2019, https://www.dupont.com/news/dupont-
27. BHP company web site, “Climate Change,” https://www.bhp.com/ announces-2030-sustainability-goals.html, accessed August 26,
media-and-insights/news-releases/2019/07/bhp-to-invest-us400m- 2020.
to-address-climate-change/ , accessed June 29, 2020.
39. Occidental company report, “Climate-related Risks and
28. Mariaan Webb, “BHP links bonuses to climate plan, sets medium- Opportunities: Positioning for a low-carbon economy,” 2019,
term targets”, Mining Weekly, https://www.miningweekly.com/ https://www.oxy.com/SocialResponsibility/overview/SiteAssets/
article/bhp-links-bonuses-to-climate-plan-sets-medium-term- Pages/Social-Responsibility-at-Oxy/Assets/Occidental-Climate-
targets-2020-09-10 accessed September 11, 2020. Report-2019.pdf. Accessed August 20, 2020
29. Rio Tinto company web site, “Climate Change,” https://www.riotinto. 40. Greenhouse Gas Protocol, FAQ, 2020, https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/
com/sustainability/climate-change, accessed June 29, 2020. default/files/standards_supporting/FAQ.pdf. Accessed August 20,
30. Climate Action 100+, 2019 Progress Report, 2019, 2020
https://climateaction100.wordpress.com/progress-report/. Accessed 41. “UBS Bank won’t fund new offshore Arctic oil, gas projects,” PBS
August 20, 2020 News Hour, March 9, 2020, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/
31. “CEMEX Continues Addressing Climate Change and Fostering economy/ubs-bank-wont-fund-new-offshore-arctic-oil-gas-projects,
Innovation,” Yahoo! Finance, March 26, 2020, https://finance. accessed August 26, 2020.
yahoo.com/news/cemex-continues-addressing-climate- 42. PBS Newshour, “UBS Bank won’t fund new offshore Arctic oil, gas
change-230000122.html, accessed August 26, 2020. projects” www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/ubs-bank-wont-fund-
32. Climate Action 100+, “2019 Progress Report,” 2019, new-offshore-arctic-oil-gas-projects acessed, August 20, 2020.
https://climateaction100.wordpress.com/progress-report/. Accessed 43. David Roberts, “These uses of CO2 could cut emissions — and make
August 20, 2020 trillions of dollars,” Vox, November 27, 2019, https://www.vox.com/
33. James Murray, “How the six major oil companies have invested in energy-and-environment/2019/11/13/20839531/climate-change-
renewable energy projects,” NS Energy, January 16, 2020, industry-co2-carbon-capture-utilization-storage-ccu, accessed
https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/oil-companies- August 26, 2020.
renewable-energy/, accessed August 26, 2020. 44. David Chandler, “MIT engineers develop new way to remove carbon
34. bp press release, “From international oil company to integrated dioxide from air,” MIT News, October 24, 2019, https://news.mit.
energy company: bp sets out strategy for decade of delivery toward edu/2019/mit-engineers-develop-new-way-remove-carbon-dioxide-
net zero ambition,” August 4, 2020, https://www.bp.com/en/global/ air-1025, accessed August 26, 2020.
corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/from-international- 45. Ibid.
oil-company-to-integrated-energy-company-bp-sets-out-strategy-
for-decade-of-delivery-towards-net-zero-ambition.html, accessed 46. bp press release, “From international oil company to integrated
September 14, 2020. energy company: bp sets out strategy for decade of delivery toward
net zero ambition,” August 4, 2020, https://www.bp.com/en/global/
35. Ibid. corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/from-international-
36. Total press release, “Total adopts a new climate ambition to get to oil-company-to-integrated-energy-company-bp-sets-out-strategy-
net zero by 2050,” May 5, 2020, https://www.total.com/media/news/ for-decade-of-delivery-towards-net-zero-ambition.html, accessed
total-adopts-new-climate-ambition-get-net-zero-2050, accessed September 14, 2020.
September 14, 2020.

18
 The 2030 decarbonization challenge |
 The path to the future of energy

47. Ibid. 52. Ibid.

48. Repsol web site, https://www.repsol.com/en/sustainability/climate- 53. Ibid.

change/net-zero-emissions-2050/index.cshtml, accessed September
54. “Decarbonising Shipping: All hands on deck,” Deloitte and Shell,
14, 2020.
2020, https://www.shell.com/promos/energy-and-innovation/
49. Ibid. download-the-report/_jcr_content.stream/1594141914406/
b4878c899602611f78d36655ebff06307e49d0f8/decarbonising-
50. Repsol press release, “Kia Motors Iberia and Repsol join forces to shipping-report.pdf. Accessed August 20, 2020
launch WiBLE, a new car-sharing operator,” January 31, 2018, https://
www.repsol.com/en/press-room/press-releases/2018/kia-motors- 55. Ibid.
iberia-repsol-launch-wible.cshtml, accessed September 14, 2020.
56. Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government, http://www.bom.
51. Shell web site, “What is Shell’s net carbon footprint ambition?”, gov.au/australia/heatwave/knowledge-centre/, accessed September
https://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/the-energy-future/ 11, 2020.
what-is-shells-net-carbon-footprint-ambition.html, accessed
September 14, 2020.

19
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