As governments around the world strive to facilitate lower carbon, less emitting energy systems that continue to meet evolving demand, IOGP supports their focus on advancing what is widely referred to as a “Just Energy Transition”. Although, to date, no single and universally accepted definition of this concept exists, IOGP champions pathways aimed at enabling the shift to a lower-emissions energy system that considers communities and other stakeholders, is economically viable, and achieves a balance between sustainability, security of supply, and affordability.

Recognizing that oil and gas will continue to play a critical role in meeting global energy demand for decades, IOGP helps its Members reduce their operational emissions, supply lower carbon energy, and deploy low-carbon solutions for other sectors. We believe policy should meet development needs, be supportive of workforces, be technologically and economically sound, and regionally and locally adaptable.

IOGP’s guiding principles related to “Just Energy Transition” are as follows:

Energy Access and Economic Development

Recognise and support the right of any country to expand access to affordable, reliable energy. Promote realistic, phased transitions that meet local development needs.

Global Ambition with Local Perspective

Respect regional differences in various pathways to energy transition, while maintaining ambitious environmental and social performance standards. Be transparent and proactive when engaging with stakeholders.

People-Centred Workforce Transition

Promote and support policies that enable new career pathways in emerging energy and industrial sectors via development, redeployment and early planning for affected workers and contractors.

Technology and Infrastructure Investment

Accelerate deployment of lower-carbon technologies—including natural gas, carbon capture and storage, methane abatement, low-emission fuels, and low-carbon hydrogen technologies, while leveraging existing infrastructure to minimise disruption and stranded assets.

Energy Poverty

Recognise access to affordable and reliable energy is essential to human development and support the role of lower-carbon technologies within the deployment of such energy access to help alleviate poverty.

These principles reflect IOGP’s views on a constructive global energy transition that is not only effective but also considers and supports communities and other stakeholders.