Holding Ourselves Accountable

To uphold their commitments to achieve meaningful progress in sustainability, fuel and petrochemical manufacturers are not only setting clear, metrics-based targets but also embedding sustainability deeply into their internal governance structures and enhancing data collection practices.

Delivering on Commitments

Phillips 66 has achieved a 17% reduction in Scope 1 (which come from the direct operation of owned assets) and Scope 2 (resulting from the generation of purchased energy) emissions intensity as compared to 2019 levels.268
In 2020, Marathon Petroleum set a target to reduce companywide freshwater withdrawal intensity by 20% by 2030, as compared to 2016 levels. Through its many Focus on Water initiatives, Marathon has already achieved an 18% reduction in freshwater withdrawal intensity from 2016 levels.269
Dow set a 2025 goal of working with industry leaders, nonprofits and governments to deliver six major projects to accelerate the world’s transition to a circular economy. In 2023, Dow reached this goal early, following a number of major projects such as its REVOLOOP Recycled Plastic Resins and SILASTIC SelfSealing Silicone for tires.270
Ecolab’s focus on improving water efficiency resulted in an overall water impact reduction of 18% per unit production, compared to a 2018 baseline. Ecolab also restored 34% of its absolute water withdrawal at high-risk sites, well on its way to meeting its 2030 goal of greater than 50% restoration of absolute water withdrawal volume at high-risk sites.271

ONEOK has achieved a reduction of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions of 1.1 million metric tons (MMT), roughly 50% of its target of 2.2 MMT reduction of combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 2030.272
Emerson Automation Solutions set a goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity by 20% by 2028. Emerson exceeded this target in 2022, leading the company to set a more ambitious target of a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 from a 2021 baseline.273
Valero achieved their 2025 GHG emissions target to reduce and displace the equivalent to 63% of the tonnage from their global refinery GHG emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) in 2022. In 2023, Valero continued to exceed this target.274
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle, Ketjen continues to align with corporate targets that includes a 35% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline.275

Good Governance

Chevron’s Board oversees its performance and management of sustainability-related issues such as climate change, reporting, lobbying and human capital management. The Board’s four standing Committees are responsible for oversight and guidance over different sustainability aspects. For instance, the Public Policy and Sustainability Committee evaluates and advises on risks that might arise in connection with political, social, environmental and public policy aspects of the business and the committee helps management assess trends and potential implications.276
ExxonMobil’s Board of Directors provides guidance on planning and strategy, which includes risks and opportunities related to the energy transition and climate change. Directors engage with internal and external experts and apply their individual perspective and experience in evaluating the company’s capital-allocation priorities. The Board and its Environment, Safety and Public Policy Committee routinely interacts with senior management on climate matters as well as ExxonMobil’s environmental approach and performance and is briefed by subject-matter experts on issues such as scientific and technical research, GHG emission-reduction reporting, public policy positions and new technology developments.277
Phillips 66 has incorporated safety and environmental performance — including lower-carbon and GHG initiatives — as a part of its Variable Cash Incentive Program for executives and employees, with 40% of the annual bonus linked to environmental and safety operating performance.278

LyondellBasell’s CEO oversees the company’s ESG efforts through frequent reporting and discussion on critical topics and initiatives by members of the Executive Committee, which is made up of senior executives that lead businesses and functions. The Executive Committee includes the Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, who has responsibility for sustainability strategy and reporting on ESG issues; the Executive Vice President, CLCS, who is in charge of building and leading a scalable, circular and low-carbon solutions business; and the Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence and HSE, who is in charge of the execution of LyondellBasell’s plans to reach its interim and long term Scopes 1 and 2 targets.279 In 2023, LyondellBasell created a Sustainability Council to advise the Executive Committee on sustainability matters, including climate-related matters.280
Ecolab added a Growth & Impact modifier to the annual cash bonus for its most senior leaders, which is based on reducing water intensity across operations and making progress towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.281
Cheniere’s senior leadership is engaged on DEI initiatives, with leadership from its Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer and regular updates to its Board of Directors. Cheniere also has an executive-level DEI Sponsorship Council, which meets frequently to assess plans, offer guidance, analyze data and ensure accountability.282

Data Quality

Chevron is working to help develop global standards and guidance to advance carbon accounting, as well as working on crucial digital products to create data that better inform policies, customers and capital markets.283
LyondellBasell is conducting lifecycle assessment studies for its Circulen and +LC product portfolio, as well as evaluating its MoReTec technology and expanding its activities toward its polymer, olefins and compounded products. These lifecycle assessments are conducted according to ISO 14040/44 and are evaluated by an independent expert reviewer or panel of experts, using recognized tools and databases. LyondellBasell is aiming to generate full lifecycle assessments and inherent product carbon footprint calculations for its entire product portfolio by 2026.284

Eastman commissioned a lifecycle analysis that was performed by Quantis and underwent third-party review, which showed that Eastman can potentially lower the GHG emissions of the polyester feedstock dimethyl terephthalate by a third over conventional manufacturing.285
Ergon’s Energy & Specialty Solutions segment recently conducted a lifecycle assessment for the naphthenic base oil offerings produced at Ergon Refining Inc. in Vicksburg. Seven products were included in the study conducted by Sphera, a data and consulting service. The results, which will be made available to stakeholders, will be used to help identify product improvement opportunities and to meet Ergon’s sustainability goals.286

Advancing Policies for a More Sustainable Future

AFPM’s Carbon Policy Working Group and Plastic Policy Working Group actively evaluate and pursue policies based on member-driven principles to address the challenges of climate change and the mismanagement of plastic waste. Working with these groups, AFPM has advocated for the EPA to recognize the potential of renewable diesel and not limit its use under the RFS, supported the deployment of incentives for emerging technologies like carbon capture, utilization and sequestration and hydrogen production, championed federal legislation to spur innovation and collaboration to keep plastic waste out of the environment, among others. And, as an accredited stakeholder with the United Nations (UN) Environmental Program, we are continuing to advocate for policies that enable industry innovation and global investment in plastics circularity through the development of the UN agreement on global plastic pollution.

AFPM Plastic Waste Policy Principles

AFPM approaches the challenges of global plastic waste by addressing the many aspects of this complex issue. Ultimately, our solutions always acknowledge the tremendous long-term value of plastic products, while considering data-driven innovations that promote advanced recycling solutions and remove regulatory barriers to widescale adoption of such technologies. Specifically, we advocate for:

Developing a national framework to eliminate plastic waste in the environment and grow the circular economy for plastics.
Working collaboratively across the plastics value chain and with governments to encourage the responsible disposal of plastic products and the recycling, reuse and recovery of plastic waste on a global scale. This includes increased funding of state and local waste collection programs to better source and collect plastic waste.
Supporting the innovation and development of plastic waste repurposing technologies that have the potential to recover plastic waste and transform it into usable materials. This includes removing regulatory barriers for new facilities that will allow for the continued expansion of advanced recycling capabilities.
Ensuring the regulatory classification for plastic waste is as a manufacturing feedstock, which simplifies the process and reduces regulatory hurdles for companies processing plastic; and proper accounting and tracking of recycled content, allowing companies to set clear goals and to consistently track their recycling efforts.

AFPM Climate Policy Principles

AFPM is committed to the development of sound policies that enable our members to supply the fuel and petrochemicals that growing global populations and economies need to thrive, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable way.

Policies addressing climate change must be:

Balanced and measured to improve quality of life, ensuring the long-term economic, energy and environmental needs of humanity are met;
Protective of U.S. competitiveness and prevent the shifting of production, jobs and emissions from the United States to other countries;
Harmonized, preemptive and economy-wide;
Simple and transparent;
Achievable and flexible to adjust as necessary.

AFPM and our members are further committed to:

Delivering affordable, reliable fuel and petrochemical products that lift the standards of living for people all over the world;
Improving the efficiency and sustainability of our operations;
Offering fuels and petrochemicals that make engines and other products more efficient; and
Continuing research, innovation and application of new technologies and products.