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Reducing CO2 emissions

How to limit greenhouse gas emissions

Carbon dioxide or CO2 is known for being primarily responsible for trapping heat in the lower layers.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from human activity are the main root of climate change. These emissions are produced from burning different types of fuels and other processes. Thanks to that, we can generate the energy we need every day for our homes, transportation, air conditioning in buildings, or factories for the large-scale production of all kinds of goods.

However, in addition to carbon dioxide, there are other gases such methane and refrigerants that, even though they are found in lower amounts in the atmosphere, they have even greater potential for global warming. These kinds of emissions often come from different sources such as the livestock industry, carbon mines, or the natural supply chain.

As a society, we have a commitment to decarbonization, the efficient use of energy sources, and taking care of the environment. But, how can we reduce CO2 emissions? Are there specific measures for reducing emissions? Can they be addressed from the private sector?

What measures are there for reducing CO2?

In addition to these regulatory measures, we can also take daily actions to cut down on CO2 emissions and curtail global warming. Here are some of the main measures for reducing our carbon footprint in our daily lives:

A digital thermostat on a radiator

Responsible air conditioning

Experts recommend a room temperature between 18ºC and 23ºC in the home. This will guarantee a comfortable temperature and also result in considerable energy savings. Also, good thermal insulation of our homes is key for cutting down on the use of air conditioning.

A smartphone showing the different energy efficiency label and a washing machine in the background

Check the energy labels

It is important to know the energy efficiency rating of an appliance before you buy it as there can be considerable differences despite offering similar performance. The energy label is based on a letter and color classification scale, starting with A and green for the most efficient appliances to G and red for the least efficient ones.

Various fresh food items on a table

Buy fresh, local produce

When we eat seasonal foods from local businesses, we are avoiding the emissions caused during transportation as well as those resulting from the refrigeration of the products.

A person holding a box with recyclable materials

Adopt circular economy habits

Applying the three basic principles of the circular economy (reduce, reuse, and recycle) on a daily basis helps extend the life cycle of products and pave the way for a responsible consumption model that is much cleaner and more efficient. For example, we can reduce water consumption by installing low-flow shower heads.

A hydrogen fuel cell bus

Commit to sustainable mobility

Sustainable mobility is our greatest ally in the fight against climate change. When traveling short distances, you can always choose to walk or cycle. For other kinds of journeys, it is more advisable to use public transport or car sharing. When you have no other choice than to use your own car, you can always choose fuels formulated to improve the efficiency of your engine or opt for biofuels.

Wind turbines and solar panels

Tap into renewable energy sources

Technological development and the evolving energy mix mean that nowadays we can choose between a wide range of renewable energies. These include solar communities, sign up for a service that guarantees the use of wind energy, or moving to fuels created from biomass and organic waste.

Green leafs in the shape of footprints on soil

Calculate your environmental footprint

Calculating our carbon footprint helps us to identify the sources of greenhouse gas emissions that we have in our homes and come up with more efficient and sustainable habits for saving. There are carbon footprint calculators online that follow the same parameters as those used by United Nations.

A child and an adult planting a tree

Plant a tree

Global deforestation has been an important factor in the rise in carbon emissions. A tree is capable of eliminating between 330 and 7,700 pounds of CO2 throughout its life cycle, making it an accessible and affordable way of offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, reforestation is an accessible and economical way to contribute to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, there are other Nature-Based Solutions such as wetlands or grasslands.

Two hands holding two different lightbulbs

Switch to LED lighting

By installing LED light bulbs we can reduce emissions by up to 40% without foregoing a quality lighting system. If on top of this the electricity is generated using renewable sources, this reduction can be even greater.

Key targets for 2030

The European Commision, within the framework of the European Green Deal, proposed to raise the GHG emission reduction target to at least 55% compared to 1990. The Commission is studying legislative proposals that include measures for increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy across all sectors to achieve this target.

Picto Medioambiente

At least a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990)

Pictograma de una hucha

At least a 32% share for renewable energy

Pictograma de un corazón y una constantes vitales

At least a 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency

Repsol projects aimed at reducing CO2

At Repsol, we are backing accessible, affordable and low-carbon energy. We want to play an important role in the fight against climate change by boosting the ecodesign, sustainability, and efficiency of our industrial products and processes, as well as the development of low-emissions energy businesses. With this goal, our Repsol Technology Lab applies innovation and technology to find solutions throughout our entire value chain.

Tanks and pipelines at a refinery

CO2 as a raw material for chemical products and new materials

We are working on technologies for converting captured CO2 to be used as a raw material in a wide range of opportunities, from polymer synthesis and obtaining synthetic fuels to incorporating it into construction materials.

This activity requires expert knowledge in the design of processes, products and applications. CCUS are a set of technologies promoted through EU directives as a way of achieving targets for reducing CO2.

A plant sprouting from a tree trunk

Developing new ways of capturing CO2

Carbon capture can be applied to large-scale emissions processes, including the generation of coal and gas energy, the processing of natural gas, and the production of fertilizers, as well as in other industrial sectors such as cement production, iron and steel, paper, and oil refining. 

At the Repsol Technology Lab, we are working to develop separation technologies with the aim of reducing capture costs and paving the way for a large-scale, commercial CCUS roll out.

Mountain landscape

Evolving in how we store CO2

Geological storage consists of injecting CO2 captured in rock formations deep underground. The type of land chosen for this must meet certain criteria relating to rock porosity and permeability, as well as having upper barriers that act as a seal to permanently contain the CO2.

We are working on the development of tools such as the SRMS (Storage Resource Management System) by the SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers), which provides guidelines on how to classify storage resources and assess their maturity prior to undertaking this type of project.

Rows of solar panels

Creating hydrogen from solar energy

We have created a system for obtaining renewable hydrogen using solar energy, allowing us to reduce the carbon footprint by more than 90% compared to the conventional process by means of methane reforming.

This initiative is an example of how we are collaborating with other companies through the Repsol Technology Lab, having signed an agreement with Enagás in 2018 to continue working together to develop this technology that is key for the energy transition. Some of the institutions working with us include the Catalan Institute for Energy Research, the University of Alicante, Magrana, and the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation.

Refinery tower and flowers

Reducing the carbon footprint of our processes

Energy efficiency is one of the most high-potential mechanisms for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). It means continuously looking for new opportunities in the fields of technology, design, and operating and maintenance procedures. Energy efficiency has always been present in our projects and operations, and since 2006 this has been evident in our ambitious plans and targets to reduce our energy and carbon intensity.

Someone using the Waylet application on their cell phone

Repsol helps you get ahead in the decarbonization process

We have recently launched a voluntary emissions offsetting initiative, called Zero Net Emissions Commitment, which we manage through our innovative Waylet and Vivit applications. This way, every time a customer refuels at one of our more than 3,400 service stations and makes their payment using the Waylet application, they will have the option, on a voluntary basis, of offsetting 100% of the CO2 emissions generated by the consumption of that fuel by collaborating in reforestation projects.