Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1)

The PGNiG Group’s direct GHG emissions converted into CO₂ equivalent are generated by:

• combustion of fuels (natural gas, diesel oil, LPG, gasoline) carried out to generate electricity and heat in boilers, gas furnaces, power generators, line heaters, steam generators, glycol regenerators, gas engines, gas compressors, and fire pumps
• processes such as combustion of (discharge) natural gas on flare stacks, post-combustion of acid gases, storage (crude oil, methanol, LPG), reloading (crude oil, methanol, LPG), leakages, and gas venting from the installations
• auxiliary processes such as welding, painting, burning of fuels in heaters, pressure washers, mobile agricultural machinery and transport vehicles.

Over a short term, with continuous dynamic growth of the entire PGNiG Group, direct GHG emissions rose by close to 7.9%, mainly due to an increase in CO₂ emissions in the Generation segment (TERMIKA). The increase was caused by higher coal consumption in energy production during a period of low external temperatures in 2021.

In the Exploration and Production segment in 2021, the largest emissions were caused by the works performed on the Gilowice 3k and Kramarzówka 2 and 3 wells, completed this year. At the same time, this entire segment reduced GHG emissions compared to the previous year.

Currently, 19 installations of the PGNiG Group are covered by the EU ETS. In 2021, carbon dioxide emissions rose 8.8% year on year, to 6,476,855.0 Mg. As free allowances of CO2 emission rights decrease year by year, there is a need to purchase additional emission rights.

The PGNiG Group places great importance on reducing gas and particulate matter emissions into the atmosphere. It has been steadily reducing the amount of pollutants generated by transportation, combustion processes in heat sources, fuel reloading and industrial processes (gas combustion at flares, gas venting, emissions from compressor stations and compressors). The methods of reducing emissions of pollutants into the air include using gas as a low-emission fuel, monitoring fuel consumption, reducing the energy intensity of industrial processes and upgrading or replacing captive heat sources used for the Group’s own needs.

In 2021, air pollutant emissions increased across the PGNiG Group. At TERMIKA CO₂ emissions rose as a consequence of an increase in coal consumption due to lower external temperatures in 2021, while the reduction in SO2 emissions was mainly due to the adaptation of fluidised-bed boilers to the requirements of the BAT Conclusions (including at the Żerań CHP plant). At the same time, pollutant emissions from TERMIKA’s heat and CHP plants contribute to a slight increase in pollutant concentrations in Warsaw and neighbouring areas. Theoretical replacement of the district heating system by individual heat sources in households would cause a significant deterioration in air quality in Warsaw and neighbouring areas.

Oil and gas exploration and production activities, gas distribution, and modernisation, maintenance and repair works undertaken by the PGNiG Group generate air pollutants such as gases (SO2, NOx, CO, CO2, CH4), particulate matter, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, heavy metals, metallic and non-metallic elements.