Regulation and reporting

Supporting methane regulations and industry initiatives to accelerate reductions

We believe federal regulations are the most effective way to reduce methane emissions at scale, and that sound energy policies can accelerate efforts to achieve societal net-zero emissions. We’ve consistently advocated for federal methane regulations and developed a model framework to promote industry-wide adoption of best practices. Our greenhouse gas emission-reduction plans through 2030 are consistent with Paris-aligned pathways, the U.S. and European Union’s Global Methane Pledge and the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan announced in November 2021.
Our February 2023 letter supporting EPA regulations can be found here

Reporting

Our focus is on emissions mitigation and the transition to observation-based emission quantification of potential non-routine sources. This is why we continue to develop and deploy enhanced technologies to ensure rapid detection, mitigation, and quantification of these non-routine sources at our operated assets.

We are participating in industry and academic consortiums to advance the scientific understanding of methane emission calculations and models. We joined the Gas Technology Institute-led Project Veritas to develop and implement a methane emissions reporting approach that is standardized, science-based, technology-neutral, and measurement-informed.

Our annual reporting of methane emissions can be found in our Advancing Climate Solutions Progress Report.  

Around the globe

We also participated in the development of the EU's methane policy to support legislation that achieves methane emission reductions, including submitting recommendations on monitoring, reporting and verifying oil and gas methane emissions, leak detection and repair, upstream venting and flaring.

We were a founding member of the Methane Guiding Principles (MPG) in 2017 and has been a member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) since 2018. Our annual MPG Signatory Report outlines the progress we have made and future plans under each of the five MPG guiding principles. As part of OGCI’s “Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative”, we strive to eliminate methane emissions from our oil and gas operations by 2030 using an all-in approach. We also support the Global Methane Pledge announced at COP26 that seeks to reduce emissions from all emitting sectors, such as agriculture and waste.

From support for sound policy and regulations in the United States and the European Union, to helping to achieve the Global Methane Pledge, to participation in global industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives, we are working through various avenues to contribute to society’s efforts in tackling methane emissions.

Learn more

The innovators who are reducing methane emissions As part of helping to address society’s dual challenge, ExxonMobil has undertaken an unprecedented industry-leading effort to reduce methane emissions from its upstream operations.

Methane reduction Energy Factor • March 30, 2021

Additional resources