HELLENIC PETROLEUM applies consistently its environmental policy, with the commitment of all its staff and integrating it into its activities.
HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group faces significant challenges related to energy and climate change. In particular, through the implementation of its sustainable development strategy, it seeks to achieve both short and long-term energy efficiency and emission reduction targets, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in regards to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and responsible production and consumption (SDG 12).
The environmental dimension of the Group’s strategy is to continuously improve environmental performance (e.g. management of natural resources, air emissions, solid and liquid waste) as well as addressing the causes and impacts of climate change, while most importantly increasing energy efficiency.
With regards to the environment, the Group invests in preventing and minimizing its environmental impact by applying the appropriate measures and best available techniques, practices and technologies throughout the product cycle, from the production design and antipollution technology application, through to the final consumption product.
By continually improving operational parameters and reducing its environmental and carbon footprint, the Group constantly strives to achieve the goals it has set as follows:
- Continuous improvement of environmental performance to protect water, air and soil
- Increasing energy efficiency and the optimal use of natural resources, based on the principles of sustainable consumption and production
- Reducing greenhouse emissions to address climate change
HELLENIC PETROLEUM applies consistently its environmental policy, with the commitment of all its staff and integrating it into each and every one of its activities.
The implementation of the Group’s environmental policy is achieved through: setting objectives for each activity, monitoring all environmental parameters - through European indicators, benchmarking with the performance of the industry in Europe, and continuously educating staff and social partners on environmental issues, along with the implementation and certification of environmental management systems across the broad range of the Group’s activities.
In addition, the Group regularly evaluates its compliance with the relevant environmental management procedures at each facility, either through internal inspections by trained and experienced personnel or through inspections conducted by independent accredited certification bodies. At the same time, it monitors the development of environmental indicators (KPIs) which are included in the Group’s periodic reports and performance evaluation criteria for executives.
HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group aims to reduce both gaseous emissions and waste generated through specific actions such as maximizing the use of gaseous fuels, using higher environmental fuels and applying advanced technologies to the production process, starting from the European Best Available Techniques for the industry. In 2017, actions to improve the facilities’ environmental footprint continued successfully as indicated in the charts below.
Specifically, the indicators of CO2 emissions per ton of crude feed has been steadily decreasing in the last 4 years and especially the latter 2 despite the increase in utilisation levels. This improvement is due to efficient energy management and saving projects.
CO2 /tn of Crude feed Emission Index*
* Data from the first year of comparable levels of HELPE refinery operation
In 2017, the Group's three refineries continued on the last 5 years trend with the indicators of the most important gas emissions for the sector (SOx, NOx and PM particles per kilogram of emissions per ton feeds) improving steadily, reflecting the results of applied environmental management systems and programs for environmental performance improvement.
Air Emissions (in tons/throughput)
*The PM10 indicator has been multiplied by 10 so that it can be better presented
With regards to liquid and solid waste management, the primary objective is to reduce their production at source, maximize recycling and re-use in the production process, for as many waste streams as possible, and subsequently manage them in an optimal way for the benefit of the environment and public health.
HELLENIC PETROLEUM has invested in modern waste treatment units, such as three-stage integrated wastewater treatment and an oil-sludge treatment unit using the biodegradation technique at the Thessaloniki facilities.
Due to the nature of its activities, the Group faces a number of risks in its daily operations in relation to the use of hazardous and flammable substances as well as technical failures in production and logistics facilities. Failure to manage those risks could have a significant impact on the Group's operations and financial position, including administrative sanctions, and inability to carry out the activities.
The Group uses a series of specific inspection and audit procedures, including management systems in line with international standards, where applicable, to address any risks related to safety and environmental issues, in addition to complying with relevant European and national laws and related equipment design. In addition, it actively participates in international committees to measure and compare performance in the refining and petrochemical industries, using safety KPI's, sharing and implementing best practices to improve its health, safety and environmental performance.
The assessment of Risks to business activities due to climate change, is part of investment feasibility studies. The Group’s strategic objective is to address climate change with energy efficiency in both operations and head office, as well as growth in Renewable Energy Sources, while examining the adaptation to climate change for its facilities.
The costs associated with the projected greenhouse gas emission allowance have a negative economic impact, as the Group’s three refineries in Greece participate in the European Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme. Given that the ability for a real reduction of CO2 emissions is limited to existing plants, considering the high level of energy efficiency of Group’s refineries, costs related to the purchase of the required allowances, are expected to increase significantly between 2021 and 2030 of the EU ETS.
Other risks include the increased costs for complying with European environmental requirements and the Conclusions on European Best Available Techniques (BAT Conclusion), as well as additional measures for controlling and limiting greenhouse gas emissions, which have a particular impact on competitiveness due to our proximity to neighboring areas that are not subject to EU legislation.
The Group actively participates in the Sustainable Development Dialogue through participating in the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises Council on Sustainable Development on the SUSTAINABLE GREECE 2020 platform, etc., contributing with actions and investments to the 17 objectives and sub-objectives set by the UN for 2030 to which Greece has also committed itself.