IBP criticizes the "us versus them" climate in the energy transition.

247 -  In a context of growing debate about the energy transition, the president of the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum and Gas (IBP), Roberto Ardenghy, criticized reductionist narratives that portray the oil sector as the villain of the environment. According to him, this view is equivalent to a "Fla-Flu climate" between oil and renewable energies, something that does not reflect the complexity of the issue. Ardenghy argued that the industry does indeed play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has contributed significantly to energy diversification, especially in Brazil, where oil is less polluting.

"People tend to downplay the issue. They've created a 'Fla-Flu' climate between oil and the energy transition, and that's not the point," stated Ardenghy, referring to the polarization between the two forces. According to the president of the IBP, it's necessary to understand that the oil sector has adopted several measures to reduce emissions and promote an organized transition, without compromising energy security. He emphasized that Brazilian oil, due to its less polluting composition, represents a cleaner solution than that of other producing countries.

Regarding greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, the IBP (Brazilian Petroleum Institute) pointed out that the oil and gas sector is responsible for 13% of total emissions, while land use accounts for 48,3%. "We are not shirking responsibility, but the oil and gas sector is not the largest emitter; this must be considered," stated Ardenghy, refuting criticisms about the sector's responsibility for climate change. "We offer the world oil with a lower concentration of CO2," he added, highlighting the advantages of the national product.

Ardenghy's vision of the energy transition, however, is broader. He believes that, although some parts of the world are already seeing a reduction in oil consumption, the reality is different in other regions. "Oil represents the transition in countries that still use more polluting sources. If China and India increase their oil consumption, for example, they will naturally reduce their coal consumption," said the president of IBP, highlighting the importance of oil for the development of emerging countries, such as those on the African continent.

Donald Trump's victory in the United States elections, whose first act was to announce the country's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, has raised new discussions about the role of the United States in the climate agenda. Ardenghy believes that Trump's stance offers a window of opportunity for Brazil to consolidate itself as a global leader in energy. "We know that it is necessary to reduce emissions; there is a consensus in the world scientific community. We only need to look at the Earth's temperature and climate disasters; it's evident," he said. "Brazil continues on the same path, contributing to the debate and reinforcing its role as an energy powerhouse, both for traditional fuels and renewable energies," he added.

In a study released by IBP, the institute concludes that the energy transition cannot do without hydrocarbons, even in the most optimistic scenarios about the future of oil. "Oil consumption will continue to exist for both energy and non-energy purposes," the document points out. Furthermore, the study reveals that the number of projects related to low-carbon energy sources in Brazil has increased considerably, as have investments in these initiatives, which rose from R$ 46 million in 2018 to R$ 782 million in 2023.

According to the president of IBP, the Brazilian oil and gas industry plays a crucial role in the country's and the world's energy security. "The Brazilian oil and gas industry is an important driver of economic and social development for the country, which is why it is necessary to plan an organized energy transition that is fair to society and to the oil and gas producing regions," concluded Ardenghy, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning for the energy transition in Brazil.