Oil Refining Emissions Cut Points

The document argues for immediate action to decarbonize oil refineries and petrochemical plants, which were operationally responsible for 3 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. It proposes a three-pronged strategy: reducing conventional fuel demand through electrification, transitioning to bio-based feedstocks and clean hydrogen, and adopting a circular carbon economy approach.

• The oil refining and petrochemical industry was operationally responsible for 3 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, and a 1 percent reduction in these emissions is equivalent to removing three million gasoline-powered cars from the road.
• Decarbonization of the sector requires a strategy based on three categories: scaling back refining capacity by diminishing conventional fuel demand (e.g., via vehicle electrification), using bio-based feedstocks for biofuels and clean hydrogen to cut operational emissions, and integrating assets into a circular carbon economy focused on reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing carbon.

APA

RMI (2022). Oil Refining Emissions Cut Points. https://rmi.org/resources/oil-refining-emissions-cut-points/

Chicago

RMI. Oil Refining Emissions Cut Points. 2022. https://rmi.org/resources/oil-refining-emissions-cut-points/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Oil Refining Emissions Cut Points |date=1 December 2022 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/oil-refining-emissions-cut-points/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2022oil, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Oil Refining Emissions Cut Points}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/oil-refining-emissions-cut-points/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }