Carbon mitigation investments have helped reduce industry greenhouse emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. oil and natural gas industry have declined by 374 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2008 through 2014.
Among the factors contributing to the reduction is $90 billion invested by the oil and natural gas industry in low-carbon technologies from 2000-2014. The study found that the emission reductions fell into three major categories:
- End-use efficiency improvements (44 percent of the total reduction, from investments in combined heat and power);
- Non-hydrocarbon fuels (17 percent of the total reduction, from investments in wind, solar, and biofuels produced at biorefineries); and
- Fuel substitution (which accounted for 39 percent of the total reduction, and which reflects enhanced management of methane in the natural gas supply and distribution network, and replacing more carbon intensive fuels).