As climate change continues to threaten vulnerable communities and ecosystems worldwide, sustainability advocates are pressuring the oil and gas industry to step up efforts to reduce emissions and hasten the global transition to clean energy.
Pius Obukohwo, an expert in sustainable energy and digital optimisation for oil and gas companies in a press statement has called on stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Industry to prioritize climate solutions.
In his advocacy work, speaking engagements, research projects and collaborations with industry groups over the past decade, Obukohwo has positioned himself as a vocal challenger of the status quo, pushing fossil fuel companies to confront the climate crisis.
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“The oil industry has the engineering expertise, capital resources and project management skills to make an enormously positive impact on climate change,” Obukohwo said in a recent interview. “But it requires shifting priorities rapidly from short-term profits to long-term sustainability and climate solutions.”
As a certified engineer under the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Obukohwo stressed the significance of trade and export support to consolidate the industry’s presence beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He advocated for comprehensive planning in infrastructure resilience, inclusive policies, and economic stability as essential elements for the sector’s vitality.
Reflecting on his experiences within the industry, Obukohwo also urged practitioners to embrace technology, adopt sustainable practices, and prioritize safety in their professional pursuits.
Addressing contemporary challenges, the expert recommended considering renewable energy integration, ensuring data security and cybersecurity, and fostering talent development within the industry.
“Collaboration and partnership emerged as recurrent themes underscoring their pivotal role in the industry’s advancement, I advise industry players to prioritize regulatory compliance, aligning their practices with established standards and best practices,” he noted.
According to Obukohwo, Nigeria’s economic revitalisation hinges on diversification, infrastructure development, education and skill enhancement, modernization of agriculture, and robust support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
His comprehensive insights provide a roadmap for propelling the construction industry toward a pivotal role in the nation’s economic resurgence.
The expert disclosed that he has championed renewable energy commitments for oil operations, electrification of equipment and facilities, reduction of gas flaring, carbon capture and storage, and technology partnerships to optimize energy efficiency.
However, he argued that the pace and scale of action still falls far short of what scientists say is needed to avoid catastrophic climate disruption.
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“The industry is gradually moving, but we need far bolder action aligned with globally agreed climate targets,” he said. “Pressure will continue mounting on both public and private oil companies to step up.”
By exerting unrelenting pressure on behalf of vulnerable communities and environmental advocates, Obukohwo believes he can compel faster, more ambitious climate action from the world’s largest historical emitters. “
The oil industry has the resources and know-how to lead the sustainability revolution,” he says. “It’s time they put them to work before it’s too late.”
