The role of environmental management in promoting sustainability in the oil industry

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the pivotal role of environmental management in promoting sustainability principles within the oil industry by adopting a comparative methodology that integrates the local experience in Iraq with international practices of leading companies such as Saudi Aramco and BP. The research focuses on assessing the current state of environmental management in Iraqi oil facilities, particularly the Basra Oil Company, which faces structural challenges including weak institutional coordination, continuous gas flaring, and a lack of transparency in publishing environmental data.

The findings reveal that Iraq ranks among the highest countries globally in terms of gas flaring, accounting for approximately 8% of the global total. This leads to significant economic losses and emissions exceeding 30 million tons of CO₂ equivalent annually. In contrast, a gradual improvement has been observed due to recent sustainability initiatives, such as the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) and the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), which are expected to reduce emissions by up to 25 million tons by 2030.

Furthermore, the international comparison demonstrates that the success of companies such as Shell and Total Energies in achieving higher environmental performance is attributed to their integrated implementation of ISO 14001 environmental management systems and clean energy programs.

The study concludes that achieving sustainability in Iraq’s oil industry requires strengthening environmental governance, enhancing technical capacities, implementing digital monitoring systems for emissions, and adopting a comprehensive national policy aimed at reducing gas flaring and emissions within the framework of a green economy.