Safeguard The Environment

Harnessing the Power of the Sun

PETRONAS entered into the largest long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for solar energy in Malaysia with Lotus Stores (formerly known as TESCO) in July 2020. The 20-year PPA entails the design, installation, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for 15 selected Lotus Stores in the country. Supplied by NE Suria Satu Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between PETRONAS and NEFIN Group, the panels are expected to collectively generate some 18 Gigawatt-hours of clean energy per year, enabling Lotus Stores to reduce more than 12,500 tonnes of carbon emissions. As at the third quarter of 2020, installation works have been completed at 13 Lotus Stores.

Conserving Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Mexico

PETRONAS’ subsidiary PC Carigali Mexico Operations partnered with Grupo Ecologista Quelonios (GEQ), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and preservation of endangered Hawksbill sea turtles in Punta Xen Centre, Champoton, Campeche, to facilitate the rehabilitation and improvement of the centre’s facilities.

 The partnership will cover the rehabilitation of the main building to improve workers’ accommodations and the warehouse to store equipment and materials for the conservation efforts. It will also help create a larger and more protected nesting area for the turtle eggs and an improved shelter to protect baby turtles prior to their release to the sea.

 As of September 2020, a total of 167,288 turtles have been safely released to the sea, a 16 per cent increase from the same period in 2019, a rewarding result of the dedication from the project team.

Reducing Energy Consumption by 407,880 kWh Per Year

To support the Malaysia’s National Agenda on climate change and overall emission reduction target, INSTEP has collaborated with TNB Energy Services Sdn Bhd (TNBES) to reduce energy consumption and costs via the CAPEXLESS High Efficiency Equipment implementation. The MAGELLAN project is piloted at INSTEP and involves retrofitting light emitting diode (LED) and high mast lighting in its non-process areas. By doing so, INSTEP is expected to save approximately 407,880 kWh per year of energy consumption, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 283 tonnes.

Composting 15,000 kgs of Food Waste Per Year

Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP) is implementing the PETRONAS Group’s first food composting technology with the installation of an on-campus composter house, expected to compost around 15,000 kgs of food waste annually. Food composting closes the loop of sustainability and helps achieve zero food waste by transforming it into bio organic compost or fertiliser used for planting and greening of the campus.

Sustainability as the Core of PETRONAS New Leadership Campus Project

The PETRONAS New Leadership Campus Project team is responding to the pledge towards a sustainable future, starting with its main construction site office, also known as The Cubic. The project’s aspiration to achieve double-platinum certification by Green Building Index (GBI) and LEED USA resonate strongly with the PETRONAS Sustainability Agenda. The journey towards Platinum certification is further solidified by unlocking another milestone through achieving the Platinum at Design Stage by GBI Accreditation Panel.

Sustainable building features are embedded in the thought design of The Cubic. It is built with refurbished intersected container cabins to facilitate air movements and equipped with Photovoltaic Solar Panels, which can cater to the energy demand of 73 KWp. In partnership with VERITAS, a multi-disciplinary architectural design firm, structures such as the workstations are outfitted with salvaged and reused items and materials. The Cubic is also equipped with a rainwater harvesting system for lavatory and irrigation usage. 

Sustainability efforts are also incorporated into the scope of works, such as the emphasis on “3R – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” on materials used, communications of grievance procedures in various languages to workers, engaging with the local community on the operation of canteens, and also engaging in sporting activities with consultants and contractors.

The purpose of the Campus is to “Inspire Leaders to Grow.” With featured spaces that encourage social collaborations and innovative learning experience in support of PETRONAS work culture. It also embodies the sustainability essence in support of PETRONAS Sustainability Agenda.

Increasing Access to Cleaner Energy

As a fully-integrated global LNG player, we create value for our customers by introducing tailored and sustainable solutions to meet their energy needs. We pioneered a domestic alliance of LNG bunkering service providers through our collaboration with Avenir LNG Ltd to promote LNG as a marine fuel of choice and to provide LNG ship-to-ship break-bulking services for customers with smaller energy needs. In 2020, we established the Virtual Pipeline System, a solution to transport LNG via trucks to off-grid customers located away from the main pipeline, as well as to small-scale customers. These solutions work together to make LNG, the cleaner fuel, more accessible to the world. So that together, we can lower carbon emissions.

Collaborating for New Plastics Economy

Through our petrochemical arm, PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn Bhd (PCG), we are charting sustainable growth by balancing business goals with environmental needs. To further strengthen our sustainability agenda, PCG has introduced the New Plastics Economy (NPE) initiative, a holistic programme aimed at transforming plastic waste into valuable resources to be recycled back into the circular economy. Adopting a four-pronged approach encompassing education, innovation, infrastructure, and clean-up under its NPE programme, PCG seeks to impart the right knowledge and behaviour, collaborate for a sustainable waste recovery system, and develop solutions to the growing plastic pollution problems in Malaysia. PCG is also taking the leadership role in shaping the future of Malaysia’s circular economy initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment and supported by Malaysia Plastic Pact members, including the Malaysian Plastic Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and Malaysian Petrochemicals Associations (MPA).

30,000 Hectares of Rainforest Conserved

In partnership with Yayasan Sabah Group, we have invested over RM83 million towards the conservation of Imbak Canyon since 2010. Home to 82 animal species, 242 bird species, and over 50 species of medicinal plants, Imbak Canyon is considered a Class-1 forest reserve. Its pristine condition also makes it suitable for research into environmentally sustainable solutions such as carbon sequestration. We have also set up the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), which is involved in research, reforestation, public education and the training of future stewards.

1,500 Reef Balls Nurture Marine Biodiversity

Through the Biodiversity, Environmental, and Conservation (BEACON) project, PETRONAS (through MLNG Sdn Bhd) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation deployed 1,500 units of artificial reef balls across an area of over 120 km2 in Similajau National Park waters off the coast of Bintulu, Sarawak from 2013 to 2015. They protect the critical habitats of endangered marine life from illegal fishing trawler activities. The reef balls mimic limestone and have helped coral reefs to regenerate and they are now 100% covered by more than 10 hard coral species, becoming the home for cuttlefish, crabs, shrimps, sea slugs, snails, barnacles and other various species of fishes. Moreover, the effort has seen the return of the Green turtles to nest in Similajau National Park after a seven-year absence.

Apart from bolstering fish stocks and sustaining the livelihoods for local fishermen, the BEACON project also aims to educate the general public on the importance of preserving biodiversity. This is done through programmes such as reef cleaning and regular beach clean–ups with stakeholders and local communities

11,000 sqm of Mangrove Forest Brought to Life

Our EcoCare Education Centre (EEC) programme spearheaded a Mangrove Conservation initiative, which has become an on-going activity among the local community. The effort is vital in preserving the rich biodiversity of mangrove swamps in the areas of our plant operations and a spirit of volunteerism in sustainable activities.

Set up in 2013, EEC is the first environmental centre on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It features displays, exhibits and information relating to the Kerteh River ecosystem. A collaboration with Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), EEC has become a popular venue for researchers as well as university students undergoing internship. In 2019, over 4,000 visitors have participated in our initiative to plant over 6,000 trees covering an area spanning 2,500 sqm along Sungai Kerteh, Terengganu