Equinor (formerly Statoil)
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
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QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | |||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
2
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1
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NA |
2
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2
|
1
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NS | NA |
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Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
0
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1
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NA |
1
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1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
0
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0
|
NS |
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
NA |
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Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
|
1
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NA |
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
0
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NA |
2
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
1
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1
|
NS |
0
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
2
|
1
|
2
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1
|
1
|
1
|
0
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NA |
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Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
NS |
-1
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NS |
-1
|
NS |
0
|
NS | NA |
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Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
-1
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1
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NS |
1
|
1
|
NS |
0
|
NA |
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Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
0
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0
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NS |
0
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0
|
0
|
0
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NA |
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GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
1
|
2
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2
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1
|
2
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0
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NS | NA |
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Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
0
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NS |
0
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NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Morten Loktu is on the Management Committee; Catherine Jahre Nilsen is chair of the Artic Committee; Olav Aamlid Syversen is Chair of the EU Committee (aims of which include facilitating a favourable environment for members to bring to the European market oil and gas they have produced elsewhere in the world); Roald Sirevaag is chair of the Subsea committee ( which in part deals with the underwater portion of export systems (pipelines, risers, insolation valves, etc.) (Up to date Dec 2020)
Morten Loktu; Catherine Jahre Nilsen; Olav Aamlid Syversen; Roald Sirevaag
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, IOGP - Is your position on climate change consistent with theirs? [...] Mixed [...] Please explain the trade association's position [...] To represent and advocate industry views by developing effective proposals based on professionally established technical arguments in a societal context. [...] How have you, or are you attempting to, influence the position? [...] Has a different view than IOGP on EU climate and energy policy and is providing input to position papers to adjust IOGP's position.
Statoil has distanced themselves from IOGP
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive of Statoil is on the management committee of IOGP
Torstein Hole
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Morten Loktu is on the Management Committee; Catherine Jahre Nilsen is chair of the Artic Committee; Olav Aamlid Syversen is Chair of the EU Committee (aims of which include facilitating a favourable environment for members to bring to the European market oil and gas they have produced elsewhere in the world); Roald Sirevaag is chair of the Subsea committee ( which in part deals with the underwater portion of export systems (pipelines, risers, insolation valves, etc.) (Up to date Dec 2020)
Morten Loktu; Catherine Jahre Nilsen; Olav Aamlid Syversen; Roald Sirevaag
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, IOGP - Is your position on climate change consistent with theirs? [...] Mixed [...] Please explain the trade association's position [...] To represent and advocate industry views by developing effective proposals based on professionally established technical arguments in a societal context. [...] How have you, or are you attempting to, influence the position? [...] Has a different view than IOGP on EU climate and energy policy and is providing input to position papers to adjust IOGP's position.
Statoil has distanced themselves from IOGP
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive of Statoil is on the management committee of IOGP
Torstein Hole
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor holds a position on the API board and sits on several of API's committees, including the State Government affairs committee and the Upstream Committee. In its 2020 Industry Association Review, Equinor stated it had some misalignments from API's climate policy, including the API's position on methane regulation and carbon pricing.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of API
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
American Petroleum Institute [...] Is your position on climate change consistent with theirs? Mixed [...] Please explain the trade association's position [...] In favour of industry developed standards to reduce emission reductions. Less in favour of federal climate regulations and legislation in the US. [...] How have you, or are you attempting to, influence the position? [...] Statoil is a relatively small operating company in the US and has only limited influence on API's positions on climate change. However, we inform API when we disagree on positions they are taking.
Membership
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of API
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor holds a position on the API board and sits on several of API's committees, including the State Government affairs committee and the Upstream Committee. In its 2020 Industry Association Review, Equinor stated it had some misalignments from API's climate policy, including the API's position on methane regulation and carbon pricing.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of API
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
American Petroleum Institute [...] Is your position on climate change consistent with theirs? Mixed [...] Please explain the trade association's position [...] In favour of industry developed standards to reduce emission reductions. Less in favour of federal climate regulations and legislation in the US. [...] How have you, or are you attempting to, influence the position? [...] Statoil is a relatively small operating company in the US and has only limited influence on API's positions on climate change. However, we inform API when we disagree on positions they are taking.
Membership
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of API
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is one of 9 members of NGSA (Up to date as of Feb 2021)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Statoil is a member of NGSA (up-to-date Dec 2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is one of 9 members of NGSA (Up to date as of Feb 2021)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Statoil is a member of NGSA (up-to-date Dec 2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is an AS group member of businessEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is an AS Group member of BusinessEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is an AS group member of businessEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is an AS Group member of BusinessEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of FuelsEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of FuelsEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of FuelsEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of FuelsEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a business member of Cefic (up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a direct business member of Cefic
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a business member of Cefic (up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a direct business member of Cefic
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor appears to no longer has a representative on CAPP'S Board of Governors but still retains membership of the trade association.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Statoil executive is on CAPP'S Board of Executives
Nina Koch
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidiary of Statoil is a direct member of CAPP
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor appears to no longer has a representative on CAPP'S Board of Governors but still retains membership of the trade association.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Statoil executive is on CAPP'S Board of Executives
Nina Koch
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidiary of Statoil is a direct member of CAPP
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is a member of NPC (up to date Dec 2020)
Hans Jakob Hegge
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive Vice President of a subsidiary of Statoil is a member of NPC
Torgrim Reitan
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is a member of NPC (up to date Dec 2020)
Hans Jakob Hegge
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive Vice President of a subsidiary of Statoil is a member of NPC
Torgrim Reitan
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of IETA (Dec 2020)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of IETA (up-to-date Dec 2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of IETA (Dec 2020)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of IETA (up-to-date Dec 2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of WindEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of WindEurope (Up to date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Statoil is a member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive at Equinor, Arne Gurtner, sits on the board of OGUK (March 2021)
Arne Gurtner
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of OGUK (up-to-date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive at Equinor, Arne Gurtner, sits on the board of OGUK (March 2021)
Arne Gurtner
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor is a member of OGUK (up-to-date Dec 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor Germany is an indirect member of Eurelectric through BDEW (Up to date 14th December 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Equinor Germany is an indirect member of Eurelectric through BDEW (Up to date 14th December 2020)
not specified
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Equinor appears to have become more positive on climate change policy since 2015. The company appears to be supportive of carbon pricing schemes - both carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes - and has supportive positions on offshore wind legislation. The company appears to be less supportive, however, of energy efficiency legislation and mixed on renewable energy outside of offshore wind. Regarding the energy mix, Equinor appears to support transitioning away from coal, however, actively lobbies for a continued role for gas.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020, Equinor has supported reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and a well below 2C scenario. Furthermore, in 2020, Equinor supported the EU’s Climate Law, which legislates a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Between 2017-2020 Equinor has supported carbon taxes, including schemes in Norway, Canada and the UK. Between 2016-2020, Equinor has also supported strengthening reforms to the EU’s emissions trading scheme and has since continued to advocate in favour of the ETS as the main policy instrument for European emission reductions. In its 2020 CDP response, Equinor states that is has called for the EU ETS to include a Market Stability Reserve. Equinor has additionally advocated a global emissions trading scheme in 2020.i ncluding under '722666 Article 6] of the Paris Agreement.
However, Equinor appears less supportive of strong energy efficiency legislation. In its response to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy’s Hearing on the EU’s Clean Energy for All Europeans Package in 2019, despite promoting a stronger EU ETS, Equinor stated support for voluntary (rather than binding) energy intensity (rather than energy savings) targets.
In 2020, Equinor has supported renewable energy legislation regarding offshore wind energy, including reform to the U.S's Investment Tax Credit and permitting processes to facilitate the development of offshore wind projects, as well as the EU’s Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism in June 2020. Equinor’s position on renewable energy legislation outside of offshore wind development, however, is less positive. In the EU’s Clean Energy for All Europeans Package in 2019, the company advocated against renewable energy targets in heating, arguing for a ‘level playing field’ for all energy sources and technologies in EU’s heating sector, positing the current system discriminated against natural gas.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Equinor's position on the energy transition appears mixed. On the one hand, Equinor has had some positive policy engagement, particularly around transitioning away from coal. In its 2019 Sustainability Report, Equinor stated that policy measures should phase out fossil fuel subsidies that 'exacerbate climate change'. Additionally, in 2020, Equinor continued to support coal-to-gas switching. Furthermore, in response to the EU’s long-term GHG reduction strategy in 2018, Equinor is supportive of a ‘low-carbon’ energy mix that utilises natural gas, renewables and hydrogen. The company also advocates for greater GHG emissions reductions in EU Maritime Transport.
While Equinor appears to support transitioning away from coal, it does not appear however, to support transitioning away from oil and gas. In a submission to the EPA in 2019, Equinor argued for a continued role for natural gas in the energy mix, although did add that efforts to limit methane emissions must accelerate. However, in November 2019, at the Equinor Autumn Conference, CEO Eldar Saetre appeared to oppose the use of new 'enforced measures' to more rapidly transition the energy mix away from fossil fuels. In 2020, Equinor stated new investment was required for oil and gas production and the company continues to support further oil and gas exploration and production. In 2017-18 Equinor directly supporting an EU 550g carbon emissions standard for the capacity market for electricity generating units and in 2019 advocating for the early implementation of this standard. However, in October 2020, Equinor lobbied EU policymakers to weaken emissions thresholds on the sustainable investment criteria under the EU's Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, in order to include attempting the secure the inclusion of unabated natural gas: Equinor signed an open letter calling for the gas market to be the 'backbone of the EU's future energy system'.
Industry Association Governance: Equnior retains membership to numerous trade associations that continue to oppose specific climate policies and regulations. In 2020, Equinor holds membership of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) and board membership of American Petroleum Institute (API), which lobbied in opposition to ambitious climate policy agendas on climate change. In its 2020 Industry Association review, Equinor stated it has some misalignments on climate policy with API and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), however, has chosen to remain a member at this time. Likewise, Equinor retains membership to various other trade assoociations that continue to lobby against specific climate change policies and regulations globally, including BusinessEurope, FuelsEurope and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers