Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Equinor score?

Equinor reports full Scope 1+2 emissions using GHG Protocol methodology, with third-party limited assurance. Operated Scope 1+2 was 11.0 Mt CO₂e in 2024, down 5% YoY and 34% from 2015. The data is granular, publicly disclosed with multi-year tracking and breakdown by facility. Upstream CO₂ intensity of 6.2 kg/boe is well below industry average. However, these are still massive absolute emissions from a major fossil fuel operator.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Equinor score?

Equinor reports Scope 3 emissions at 251 Mt CO₂e in 2024, dominated by use of sold products (~94% of value chain emissions per CDP disclosure). Through the CDP supply chain programme, Equinor covered 67% of upstream Scope 3 emissions from tier-1 suppliers. This is a complex global supply chain with maritime, steel, and cement as key upstream sources. The Scope 3 reporting demonstrates methodology and coverage but the sheer scale of product-use emissions is enormous and effectively unchangeable w

Emissions Trajectory: How does Equinor score?

Operated Scope 1+2 emissions fell from 11.6 Mt (2023) to 11.0 Mt (2024), a genuine 5% absolute reduction through electrification projects. However, Scope 3 emissions rose from 243 Mt (2022) to 250 Mt (2023) to 251 Mt (2024), driven by increased production. Oil and gas production is planned to grow 10%+ by 2027. Net carbon intensity is only 2% below 2019. The 2030/2035 NCI targets were weakened in 2026. The cap at 4 applies because Scope 3 is rising while Scope 1+2 improves, plus the company is p

Energy Source: How does Equinor score?

Renewable energy constitutes only 0.4% of Equinor's total energy production. The company is primarily a fossil fuel producer and consumer. In February 2025, Equinor halved its renewables investment to $5B for 2025-2027 and cut installed capacity targets from 12-16 GW to 10-12 GW by 2030. While Equinor has pioneered floating offshore wind (Hywind Tampen) and is developing Dogger Bank, these are energy products for sale, not a transition of the company's own energy consumption. The company's NCS o

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Equinor score?

Equinor has a published biodiversity position with a stated ambition of reversing nature loss by 2030 and adopting a net positive impact approach. The company maps operational assets near protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value. However, Equinor operates extensively in sensitive marine environments including the Arctic, North Sea, and has pursued projects in the Argentine Sea (opposed due to impacts on marine species). The Rosebank project in the North Sea has been challenged on bio

Resource Use & Waste: How does Equinor score?

Equinor manages drilling waste, produced water, and chemical discharges as part of its operations. The company acknowledges these as significant environmental aspects and conducts environmental impact assessments. However, the core business model is inherently extractive and linear — extracting hydrocarbons for combustion. No evidence of comprehensive circular economy targets or supply chain sustainability requirements beyond basic regulatory compliance was found in the search results. Some wast

Water Impact: How does Equinor score?

Equinor identifies discharges of produced and processed water to sea as a significant environmental aspect of its operations. As an offshore oil and gas operator, produced water discharge is substantial. The company reports environmental data through its Sustainability Data Hub and conducts environmental monitoring. However, no specific water reduction targets or water stewardship programmes were identified in the search results. Norway's grid has very low carbon intensity, but the company's mar

Targets & Commitments: How does Equinor score?

Equinor has set a 50% operated Scope 1+2 reduction target by 2030 (vs 2015), with 90% through absolute reductions and up to 10% via carbon credits. It has a net-zero 2050 ambition covering all scopes. However, Equinor has no SBTi-validated targets — the SBTi has paused oil and gas sector validations. The Scope 3/NCI targets use intensity metrics, not absolute reductions. In 2026, Equinor weakened its NCI ambitions (2030: 5-15% vs previous 20%; 2035: 15-30% vs previous 40%). The company plans to

Transparency & Accountability: How does Equinor score?

Equinor publishes comprehensive annual reports combining financial and sustainability reporting, prepared in accordance with CSRD/ESRS requirements. The company discloses through CDP (scored B in 2024), GRI standards, and maintains a Sustainability Data Hub. TCFD-aligned disclosure is included. It publishes an Energy Transition Plan and industry association reviews. Board oversight of sustainability is in place. MSCI ESG rating of AA. However, the CDP score of B suggests room for improvement. In

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Equinor score?

Starting at 8, significant deductions apply. ASA upheld greenwashing complaint about misleading renewable energy advertising (-2). French CRE €4M fine for REMIT market manipulation (-2). Multiple active climate lawsuits: Breidablikk field approval ruled invalid by Oslo District Court, Rosebank challenged and consent found unlawful by Scottish court, Bay du Nord challenged in Canada (-2). ClientEarth Greenwashing Files identifies systematic pattern. On lobbying: remains member of API (InfluenceMa

Equinor Sustainability Score: 18/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Equinor·Oil & Gas·Stavanger, Norway·Founded 1976·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review

Equinor is a major fossil fuel producer with weak absolute emissions trajectory despite operational efficiency gains. Scope 3 emissions are rising with planned production growth. The company has weakened climate targets, relies on unproven CCS, faces multiple legal challenges, and lobbies against science-based policy while greenwashing renewable energy.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Oil & Gas sector ceiling.

20 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

35 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 20) + (0.7 × 35) = 30.5

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

18 / 100

The ten questions

Where Equinor is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Transparency & Accountability (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Controversies & Red Flags and Energy Source (1/10, 2/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

19 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Integrated Annual Report 2024

2025

Q1Q2Q3

Every score shows its working.

Where Equinor is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where Equinor sits among oil & gas peers.

Equinor's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.