Biodiversity Preservation
The gas industry is not among the most significant sources of impact on biodiversity. Nevertheless, the Gazprom Group recognizes the critical importance of preserving natural ecosystems and commits to maintaining biological balance while compensating for potential environmental damage.
PJSC Gazprom has in place the Coordinating Committee for Sustainable Resource Management to coordinate biodiversity conservation activities. The Committee oversees business units of PJSC Gazprom’s Administration, and subsidiaries and affiliates of the Gazprom Group in the context of biodiversity preservation.
When planning all its projects, the Gazprom Group factors into the need to prevent adverse impacts on marine and terrestrial ecosystems; in the course of project implementation, the Group constantly monitors and minimizes the risks of adverse impacts on highly vulnerable natural environments and the environments that need to be protected and preserved as a matter of crucial importance.
In 2024, PJSC Gazprom’s facilities operated in the vicinity or in the following designated conservation areas (DCAs):
- Anyuysky, Kislovodsky, Losiny Ostrov, Mariy Chodra, Meshchyora, Nechkinsky, Nizhnyaya Kama, Orlovskoye Polesye, Pleshcheevo Ozero, Pripyshminskie Bory, Russky Sever, Samara Bend, Sengiley Hills, Sochinsky, Ugra, and Khvalynsky national parks;
- Klyazminsky, Muromsky, Oksky, Priazovsky, Ryazansky, Saratovsky, Severo-Ossetinsky, Tarusa, Kurgalsky, Utrish, and Khekhtsirsky state nature reserves and federal reservations;
- some regional DCAs.
In the reporting period, the activities of the Gazprom Group entities had no significant direct or indirect impact on vulnerable ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Gazprom Group’s expenses on biodiversity preservation and protection of designated natural areas, RUB million
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change 2024/2023, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total, incl.: | 991.44 | 2,545.20 | 2,177.73 | – 14.4 |
| • protection and replacement of fish reserves | 415.87 | 1,562.28 | 891.07 | – 43.0 |
| • protection and rational use of forest resources | 202.35 | 686.41 | 1,076.37 | 56.8 |
The Gazprom Group applies modern technological solutions to minimize the environmental impact of its production operations, including monitoring of designated conservation areas or sites with a special environmental status located on the territories potentially affected by Gazprom Group entities.
Permafrost Studies
Gazprom Neft has established a Center for Deposit Development and Operation in the Cryolithozone (the "Center"). This facility will develop and implement hydrocarbon extraction technologies in the Far North conditions while studying and preserving permafrost. The Center’s experts will conduct scientific research and test building structures, thermal insulation materials, and engineering systems. They will put a special emphasis on soil temperature control due to its critical importance for structural stability. The Center will focus on developing advanced practices for designing and operating infrastructure in the northern regions.
Arctic Biodiversity Conservation Program
To protect the nature balance in the Arctic, in early 2024 we approved the Program for Biodiversity Conservation During Production and Field Development in the Areas of PJSC Gazprom’s Operations on the Arctic Continental Shelf of the Russian FederationApproved by order of PJSC Gazprom No. 53 dated February 13, 2024. (the “Program”).
The Program’s key goals are to:
- monitor biodiversity in the areas of PJSC Gazprom entities’ operations on the Arctic continental shelf, in territorial waters, inland sea waters, and contiguous zone of the Russian Federation;
- prevent and mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity, as well as plan and implement measures aimed at compensating environmental damage;
- create an effective management system for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and restoration;
- increase the efficiency and effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and restoration in the areas of PJSC Gazprom entities’ operations on the Arctic continental shelf, in territorial waters, inland sea waters, and contiguous zone of the Russian Federation;
- raise environmental awareness, promote environmental education, foster care for the environment, and ensure rational use of natural resources.
In 2024, the Gazprom Group launched the Program’s first stage, spanning three years. It includes drafting regulations and guidelines, setting biodiversity conservation targets, integrating biodiversity requirements into the business processes of Gazprom Group entities, as well as raising employee awareness and involving them in biodiversity conservation efforts.
In 2024, Gazprom ShelfprojectA joint venture of the Gazprom Group. approved the Biodiversity Conservation Program for regions hosting Gazprom’s offshore projects. The program aims to minimize impacts on Arctic and Far East ecosystems throughout all project stages, from drilling to facility operation. Protecting vulnerable species like the gray whale and Atlantic walrus receives particular focus.
The Program encompasses indicator speciesPlants, animals, or microorganisms whose condition and numbers reflect the general state of the environment and ecosystems in which they live. selection, satellite monitoring, the use of digital platforms, and invasive species control. It includes impact prevention and minimization measures, ecosystem restoration and damage compensation, as well as recommendations on environmental monitoring and education.
Bird Protection and fish Stock Replenishment
Gazprom Group entities apply various technologies to ensure that the diversity of bird species living in the areas where they operate is not disturbed. To that end, the Group uses bird protective devices and establishes buffer zones where operations and movement of vehicles are prohibited for the duration of the nesting season for the birds of prey and the period when their nestlings begin flying (zones of this kind are also used during repair works at the facilities). Helicopter routes are set to avoid any harm to nesting sites. In addition, the Gazprom Group implements bioengineering initiatives, including artificial roost sites and nesting tree protection measures.
Gazprom Group entities continue implementing environmental projects aimed at restoring fish populations. In 2024, they released 10.9 million fish species, including higly valuable (sturgeon) and valuable (chum salmon, salmon, muksun, nelma, sockeye salmon, Atlantic salmon, whitefish, sterlet, pike perch, and chir) ones, into Russian water bodies.
For more details on biodiversity preservation projects, see the Charity Environmental Projects subsection.
Land protection, sustainable use, and remediation expenditures across the Gazprom Group, RUB million
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change 2024/2023, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land protection, sustainable use, and remediation expenditures | 15,830.32 | 13,722.87 | 15,207.31 | 10.8 |
Geological exploration, as well as production and transportation of oil and gas can cause land contamination and fertility reduction. PJSC Gazprom implements a set of remediation and rehabilitation measures to put the disturbed or polluted land back into economic use.
Although land-related impact is not a significant environmental aspect for the Group, we still take comprehensive measures to enhance the reliability of pipeline systems, which has a positive impact on the preservation of soils and other environmental components. We restore contaminated lands using various methods: mechanical cleaning followed by dedicated chemical treatment with humic substancesNatural organic compounds that are part of soil capable of binding pollutants and stimulating natural self-purification processes., ion-exchange substratesNatural minerals and artificial materials that clean soil and water by replacing harmful ions (for example, lead or cadmium ions) with safe ones., beneficial soil bacteria and algae strains, as well as microbiological agents that ensure soil cleaning and healing.
The Gazprom Group employs modern reclamation technologies that prevent soil erosion, stabilize landscapes, and restore vegetation. We conduct restoration using recycled drilling waste, geotextiles, and plant growth stimulators. Specially selected species of soil microflora help strengthen the topsoil, including slopes of embankments and structures, while also increasing the speed and intensity of root formation and plant growth. During construction and reconstruction of the Gazprom Group’s facilities, remediated soils are checked for conformity to environmental standards by running soil, geobotanical, agrochemical, and other assessments. Both land remediation and compensatory reforestation work proceed within required volumes and established timeframes.
Disturbed and remediated land across the Gazprom Group, ha
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change 2024/2023, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lands disturbed during the year | 35,597.15 | 33,683.61 | 26,385.76 | – 21.7 |
| • incl. polluted lands | 75.94 | 50.2 | 14.24 | – 71.6 |
| Disturbed lands remediated during the year | 15,053.12 | 33,447.84 | 24,001.68 | – 28.2 |
| • incl. polluted lands | 77.19 | 59.21 | 12.74 | – 78.5 |
In the reporting year, Gazprom Group entities disturbed 26,390 ha of lands, down 22% vs. 2023. PJSC Gazprom entities account for 14,110 ha, Gazprom Neft – 11,870 ha, and other Gazprom Group entities – 410 ha. The 2024 reduction in disturbed land area reflects actual overhauls, allocation of sites for construction, expanded areas of production facilities, and field infrastructure development.
Land-related impacts and remediation take place as necessary and in due time. In places where these activities had been completed, the lands were remediated, including those disturbed or polluted in previous years. In 2024, we remediated a total of 24,000 ha, with PJSC Gazprom entities, Gazprom Neft, and other Gazprom Group entities accounting for 18,810 ha, 4,190 ha, and 1,000 ha respectively.
Land remediation volumes declined by 28% in 2024 due to the reduction of previously disturbed land during capital repairs, investment construction, and survey works.