Total delivers its first carbon-neutral LNG cargo

French energy giant Total said it has delivered its first carbon-neutral liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo.

The company said on Tuesday, October 20, that the cargo was loaded at the Ichthys LNG project in Australia. It was unloaded at the Dapeng terminal in China for the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

“This first LNG shipment, whose carbon emissions have been offset throughout the value chain, represents a new step as we seek to support our customers towards carbon neutrality,” explains Laurent Vivier, president for Gas at Total. “The development of LNG is essential to meet the growth in global demand for energy while reducing the carbon intensity of the energy products consumed.”

The carbon footprint of the LNG shipment was offset with VCS (Verified Carbon Standards) emissions certificates financing two projects, the Hebei Guyuan wind power project, which aims to reduce emissions from coal-based power generation in northern China, and Kariba REDD+ Forest protection project, which aims to protect Zimbabwe’s forests.

Total, the second-largest global LNG stakeholder in the private industry with an overall portfolio of nearly 50 Mt/year by 2025. The company noted it has made natural gas the cornerstone of its strategy to meet a growing global demand for energy while helping to mitigate climate change.