Climate Report Exposes Fault Lines Within Fossil Fuel Industry

© Bloomberg. Excavated terrain at the open cast lignite mine, operated by PGE SA, near the Belchatow coal powered power plant, in Belchatow, Poland, on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Poland’s plan to carve out coal-fired power plants, which would free up state-owned companies to invest in clean energy, sparked a rally in the country’s biggest utilities. Photographer: Bartek Sadowski/Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) -- The response from fossil fuel companies to the long-awaited United Nations-backed report on climate change is exposing deep-seated divisions within the industry on how to deal with the global threat.

The publication of the scientific assessment on Monday gives a stark account of the challenges posed by rising temperatures. It calls for dramatic measures to curtail greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over the next two decades.

Most oil, gas and coal producers, and the power companies that burn the fuels, have remained silent. Responses from those choosing to raise their head above the parapet range from the defensive to calling on governments to take the lead on a transition to a future of cleaner energy.

But already some patterns are starting to emerge that will be familiar to seasoned observers of the energy world. Big western European companies that have already made commitments to reducing emissions swung behind the IPCC’s message; the U.S. fossil fuel sector emphasized the concept of energy security but shied away from discussing wrenching, systemic change; and Canada’s crude industry, which produces some of the dirtiest type of oil on the planet, took the opportunity to say world demand for carbon-based fuels will still rise for decades to come.

U.S.

U.S. trade groups were quick to point to previous achievements, including reductions in carbon emissions, improvements to air quality after a shift to burning more natural gas over coal, and efforts to deal with methane.

“The U.S. has already reduced emissions more than any other country in the Paris Agreement,” Anne Bradbury, chief executive officer of the American Exploration and Production Council, said in a statement.

In terms of what comes next, the powerful U.S. oil and gas lobby responded with a well-rehearsed argument that strikes a less urgent tone than its European peers: Lowering emissions must be balanced against affordability. “Meeting the world’s growing energy needs while addressing the risks of climate change is the global challenge of our time,” the American Petroleum Institute said.

The National Mining Association, which represents U.S. producers of coal as well as other minerals, said its members are “committed to being a part of the climate solution” and stressed that carbon-capture technology will be a necessary part of the global effort rein in emissions.

Canada

In recent months, the Canadian oil sands industry has sought to marshal government support for a multibillion dollar plan to capture and store carbon emissions, which it says would allow it stay in business while meeting commitments under the Paris climate accord. Like its U.S. neighbors, the Canadian oil sector responded to the IPCC report by pointing to existing efforts to curb emissions.

“We absolutely believe there is space in the global market for Canada’s oil and natural gas production,” said Tim McMillan, CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Western Europe

The reaction of some of the region’s energy companies indicated support for drastic solutions, while also warning that industry can’t act alone. Italian power company Enel (MI:ENEI) SpA urged governments to “go all-in by rapidly shifting the global economy away from polluting activities.” Britain’s Drax Group (LON:DRX) Plc, which once operated western Europe’s biggest coal-fired power plant, said it’s willing to pull the trigger on investing more “with the right government support.”

Still, there was some competitive zeal. “Many companies talk about net zero, but we are actually doing some very real and significant things,” said U.K. utility SSE (LON:SSE) Plc, which says it’s building more offshore wind capacity than anyone else.

The response among oil companies was muted. Norway’s oil and gas industry, western Europe’s largest producer, echoed the view fossil-fuel exploration will still be needed. Nevertheless, the report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change “confirms the severity of climate change,” and all countries and sectors must reduce emissions quickly, said Hildegunn T. Blindheim, climate and environment director at the Norwegian Oil & Gas Association.

Trade body Oil & Gas U.K. backed the report for bringing “new impetus” to the energy transition, while touting Britain as a “global center” for developing low-carbon technologies.

Asia

Giant Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. pointed to existing efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Sumitomo, which has investments in coal, will consider “policies and measures based on the long-term outlook on climate change and global trend of climate change mitigation.”

In China, the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, its biggest fossil fuels producers -- including Sinopec (NYSE:SHI) Group and PetroChina Co. -- didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Australia

Despite being one of the biggest fossil-fuel exporters and per-capita polluters, Australia’s climate policy isn’t changing in response to the report. Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeated a call for a “technological” response rather than new taxes.

Australian industry groups struck the same note. The nation’s miners are “exploring, developing and safely delivering the raw materials required for global decarbonization,” Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable said. Its oil and gas producers are leading the development of technologies such as carbon capture and storage, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association said.

Coronado Global Resources Inc., which has mines metallurgical coal used in steelmaking, said its production is cleaner than that from Russia, Mongolia or South Africa. “You need steel to support alternative sources of energy, you’re going to need steel to replace the infrastructure,” CEO Gerry Spindler said in an interview.

©2021 Bloomberg L.P.