Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems is central to our environmental commitment, and we do this by assessing, managing, and mitigating risks, restoring ecosystems, and continuously improving our environmental performance. Through climate mitigation and adaptation measures, we address key drivers of biodiversity loss. A major part of this commitment also includes efficient water use, spill prevention, and proper waste management. We integrate environmental risk evaluations from the earliest project stages and use innovative technologies to reduce our impact, prevent accidents, assess biodiversity risks. Using innovative technologies, such as drones, we reduce environmental impacts, prevent accidents, and monitor biodiversity status. Beyond our value chain, we are committed to supporting nature-based solutions, ecosystem conservation, forest protection, and habitat rehabilitation, which align with our sustainability goals.
Biodiversity is not only to be preserved—it is a vital resource that shall be enhanced to generate innovation, balance, and shared value. At Saipem, we develop innovative technologies and manage responsibly environmental impacts in our operations, aware that every protected ecosystem strengthens territorial resilience and supports the long-term robustness of our business.
Seeing progress
A look at where we are at with our objectives on Biodiversity and Pollution Prevention
| 2024-2027 OBJECTIVES | TARGET YEAR | 2024 RESULTS | PROGRESS |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mapping of Saipem operational sites in biodiversity-sensitive areas |
2024 |
Sites mapped: no sites in IUCN sensitive areas or UNESCO protected areas |
50%7777
|
| Reducing plastic use: installation of a potable water system on offshore vessels |
2024 |
One potable water system onboard the FDS under certification |
50%7777
|
Making strides for biodiversity
How we are working to support biodiversity
When it comes to biodiversity protection, Saipem plays a role both in its own value chain, in terms of the impact of our operations and through the innovative technologies that we develop and deliver, and beyond, by supporting nature-based solutions.
Making strides in pollution protection
Ensuring spill prevention
An important aspect of managing and protecting water resources is spill prevention. We proactively identify potential spill scenarios and implement prevention measures to avoid environmental contamination.
Key actions include Oil & Chemical Mapping (OCM), which visually identifies spill risk areas, and the Spill Risk Assessment (SRA) methodology, which evaluates spill risks for offshore vessels and yards. These measures enhance our ability to protect marine life and habitats effectively.
Our environmental protection initiatives
Jellyfishbot
At the Baleine Phase 2 offshore project in Ivory Coast, we have implemented a solution for combatting pollution, a major challenge for offshore projects such this. A remotely operated robot—called Jellyfishbot—was deployed to clean up waste and oil spill debris. Developed by IADYS, it also aids in inspections, bathymetry, and water monitoring, enhancing environmental and operational efficiency.
Protecting endangered species in Australia
In Western Australia, the Saipem and Clough Joint Venture (SCJV) won the EPC contract to build a urea plant. SCJV has implemented robust measures to protect endangered species, including securing licences for activities involving endangered species and minimising fauna impacts through a trapping and translocation programme, conducted by qualified ecologists and the site environmental team prior to clearing activities.
Preserving the marine biosphere in the UAE
The Hail and Ghasha project in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is located in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve (MMBR), the region’s first UNESCO designated marine biosphere reserve, where we conducted a marine environmental baseline survey. The study yielded positive results, showcasing a healthy marine ecosystem. Through detailed assessments, monitoring, and mapping of marine water, sediment quality, habitats, flora and fauna, our studies help balance industrial progress and ecological conservation.
Chemical recycling
We are committed to developing a sustainable and circular economy, and one way we do this is by using advanced technologies to reduce and manage plastic waste. Our strategy focuses on three key areas, one of these is chemical recycling. We have partnered with Garbo, an Italian chemical company, to develop and commercialise ChemPET, a PET glycolytic depolymerisation technology to create chemically recycled PET (cRPET) with properties identical to virgin PET. We are also exploring pyrolysis as a viable chemical recycling solution and pursuing partnerships with technology providers based on feedstock availability, product characteristics, geographic area, and existing plastic waste sorting companies.
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