As the world marked World Environment Day (WED) on June 5, 2025, with a global focus on “Beat Plastic Pollution,” Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship in Nigeria. The energy giant highlighted its ongoing initiatives aimed at minimizing its environmental footprint, promoting responsible waste management, and advancing biodiversity conservation across the nation.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually since 1973, serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness and inspire action on pressing environmental issues, from marine pollution to climate change and sustainable development. This year’s theme underscored the urgent need to combat the pervasive problem of plastic pollution, which sees an alarming accumulation of plastic waste in our oceans, rivers, and landfills.
Chevron Nigeria Limited, operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL, emphasized that its support for this global initiative is deeply rooted in its core values and environmental principles. Jim Swartz, CNL’s Chairman and Managing Director, articulated the company’s approach, stating, “At Chevron, our commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in the responsible design, development, operation, and retirement of assets. We strive to implement business practices that support effective waste management activities and reduce the potential environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with plastic waste.”
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CNL has taken concrete steps to address plastic pollution within its operations. According to Swartz, the company is actively reducing single-use plastic water bottles by providing water dispensers and has invested significantly in waste management equipment. This equipment facilitates the shredding, crushing, and compacting of waste for recycling and reuse by third-party service providers, thereby preventing used plastics from contaminating the immediate natural environment.
Beyond plastic waste management, CNL’s environmental commitment is embedded in its Operational Excellence Management System, which drives industry-leading performance across various environmental metrics. “Our focus on the environment during decision-making lays the foundation for sound environmental management,” Swartz noted, adding that the company protects the environment through the entire lifecycle of its operations, from design to asset retirement.
In its pursuit of a lower-carbon future, CNL is actively lowering the carbon intensity of its operations. The company utilizes high-tech Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras for detecting fugitive emissions and has achieved a remarkable reduction of over 97% in routine gas flaring in its operations over the past decade.
CNL’s dedication to environmental sustainability extends to long-standing partnerships and community initiatives. In a pioneering effort in 1992, CNL, in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), established the Lekki Conservation Centre. This 78-hectare facility stands as a beacon of excellence in environmental research and education, providing a vital sanctuary for the diverse flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.
Further solidifying its commitment, CNL has, since 2005, supported an annual postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation, instituted by the NCF. The company also hosts the annual S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness and partners with the Lagos State Government and NCF to sponsor the annual Walk for Nature event, a key initiative for raising awareness about nature conservation and sustainable environmental management.
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Olusoga Oduselu, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, emphasized the critical importance of biodiversity protection. “We have a long history of working in collaboration with communities, industry groups, regulators, and conservation groups to identify and protect biodiversity in parts of the world where we operate,” Oduselu stated, highlighting CNL’s role as “an active agent of sustainable development and a strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment” for over six decades.
As the global community intensifies its efforts to combat plastic pollution, Chevron Nigeria Limited reiterates its pledge to collaborate with stakeholders, raise public awareness, and drive the transformative environmental change necessary for a more sustainable world. This commitment, as articulated by Jim Swartz, aims to “beat plastic pollution for ourselves and future generations.”
The urgent global commitment to keep plastic out of the world’s oceans is underscored by various international bodies. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), for instance, has been at the forefront of global efforts, advocating for a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution, which aims to address the full lifecycle of plastics. Reports from organizations like the UN and the World Economic Forum consistently highlight the escalating challenge, with estimates suggesting that if current trends continue, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 by weight.