Equinor
Our analysis reveals how Equinor’s climate plans fail to align with international commitments to phase out fossil fuels and to limit global temperature rise to 1.5ºC.
How does Equinor stack up?
We analyzed Equinor’s climate and sustainability pledges and plans on ten criteria across ambition, integrity, and people-centered transitions, representing minimum baselines for potential alignment with the Paris Agreement. Equinor’s climate pledges and plans are “Grossly Insufficient” on eight criteria and “Insufficient” on the rest.
Table Key
- Grossly insufficient
- Insufficient
- Partially aligned
- Close to aligned
- Fully aligned
AMBITION
INTEGRITY
PEOPLE-CENTERED TRANSITIONS
Equinor
Our analysis reveals how Equinor’s climate plans fail to align with international commitments to phase out fossil fuels and to limit global temperature rise to 1.5ºC.
Stop exploration
Grossly insufficient
Stop approving new extraction projects
Grossly insufficient
Decline oil and gas production year-on-year to 2030
Grossly insufficient
Set explicit end-date for oil and gas extraction and long-term production phaseout plan, aligned with 1.5°C
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Set absolute target(s) to reduce all its greenhouse gas emissions, including value chain emissions
Insufficient
Do not rely on carbon sequestration or offsets
Grossly insufficient
Pursue methane reductions that serve climate goals, not greenwashing
Insufficient
End lobbying and ads that obstruct climate solutions
Grossly insufficient
Insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Support and fund just transitions for workers and communities where it operates
Grossly insufficient
Uphold human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Stop exploration
Stop approving new extraction projects
Decline oil and gas production year-on-year to 2030
Set explicit end-date for oil and gas extraction and long-term production phaseout plan, aligned with 1.5°C
Set absolute target(s) to reduce all its greenhouse gas emissions, including value chain emissions
Do not rely on carbon sequestration or offsets
Pursue methane reductions that serve climate goals, not greenwashing
End lobbying and ads that obstruct climate solutions
Support and fund just transitions for workers and communities where it operates
Uphold human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Grossly insufficient
Ambition: Drilling for More Oil and Gas
Equinor does not have a date set to stop exploration, stop approving new extraction projects, or end oil and gas production. Equinor has not set a rapidly declining fossil fuel production target, and therefore its plans are dangerously out of step with climate goals.
Despite the reality of the climate crisis, Equinor forecasts to expand its oil and gas production by five percent from 2023 to 2026, and to maintain production of around two million barrels per day through to 2030. Equinor says it has over 30 new extraction projects in its pipeline for potential approval in the coming years.
It’s unthinkable to approve any new fossil fuel development when the majority of oil, gas, and coal in existing fields and mines must stay underground to keep warming to globally agreed limits.
Historical Responsibility
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7 th
Equinor's Rank
for most cumulative climate pollution in history among ALL European-based companies.
Source: Carbon Majors
-
7.7 billion
Tonnes of CO2e Pollution
linked to Equinor’s fossil fuel production since the 1970s.
Source: Carbon Majors
-
$ 400 billion
Amount Equinor Would Owe
if the company were held partially accountable for the climate loss and damages caused by its pollution since 1985 alone.
Source: Climate Analytics
Equinor President and CEO, Anders Opedal"We will continue to develop our profitable oil and gas portfolio."
Integrity: Failing Climate Targets
Do Equinor’s actions add up to a credible pathway to 1.5°C?
Equinor has not set comprehensive targets to ensure its total emissions decline rapidly and consistently.
None of Equinor’s emissions reduction pledges commit the company to reducing its total climate pollution prior to 2050. The company’s 2030 reduction target applies to less than 5 percent of Equinor’s reported emissions in 2023.
To meet its climate targets, Equinor plans to rely heavily on the ‘net’ in ‘net zero’ – investing in carbon capture, which may prolong the life of fossil fuels, has a long track record of failure, and perpetuates injustice. Instead, oil and gas companies should take responsibility for reducing their oil and gas extraction and sales as rapidly as possible.
Meanwhile, there is evidence that Equinor is lobbying against climate action, greenwashing, and otherwise maneuvering to undermine the energy transition.
At a glance
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0.0
Number of times
Equinor’s human rights policy mentions Indigenous Peoples’ right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent over energy development in their lands.
Source: Read our report
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7
Industry associations lobbying against climate action
Equinor is a member of 7 industry associations that are “Misaligned” on climate policy as of May 2024.
Source: Influence Map
People-Centered Transitions: Inadequately Preparing
While many companies have co-opted the language of ‘just transition’ from labor and climate justice movements in recent years, Equinor rates “Grossly Insufficient” on its real-world just transition plans and on upholding human rights.
Independent analysis finds that Equinor has inadequate policies to support and fund just transitions for workers and communities and to uphold human rights and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Neither Equinor’s human rights policy, published in 2020, nor its 2023 Human Rights Statement acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.
Norwegian climate activists secured a historic win in Oslo district court in early 2024, challenging their government’s approval of Equinor’s Breidablikk field (among others), though this is being appealed. The activists argued this violated a prior Supreme Court ruling and Norway’s Constitution, as well as international human rights commitments.
Asamblea por un Mar Libre de Petroleras
Civil society organizations are fighting Equinor’s plans to begin exploratory drilling in the Argentine Sea off the coast of Mar del Plata – a major tourist destination and marine ecosystem. Communities have organized the Asamblea por un Mar Libre de Petroleras (Assembly for an Ocean Free of Fossil Fuels) to safeguard their coastal heritage and oppose offshore drilling, organizing monthly demonstrations.
Take action against Equinor!
Around the world, people are standing up against Equinor and demanding that Norway take responsibility for its contribution to the climate crisis. Join them in putting pressure on Equinor and the Norwegian Government to get Equinor out of oil and gas!