The hydrocarbons sector is called to continue playing a decisive role in stopping climate change and driving the country's reactivation.

During the closing of the IV Oil and Gas Summit, Socioeconomic Reactivation: a national commitment, held from November 16 to 19, the President of the Republic, Iván Duque Márquez, highlighted the importance of the industry for the country, as well as the actions and commitments that the sector is undertaking in terms of environmental and climate management.

• During the closing ceremony of the IV Oil and Gas Summit, the President of the Republic highlighted the importance of the industry for the country and the role of the sector in managing climate change.
• The president of the ACP, representing the Oil Guild Committee, reiterated the industry's commitment to the fight against this global problem, as well as to sustainable energy diversification.

The President of the Republic emphasized the sector's contributions to the country's development, and its importance in exports, tax revenues, royalties, among other contributions that have helped leverage social and environmental investment programs in Colombia. He indicated that “the world cannot continue to fall into absurd demonizations, derived from misinformation, when it comes to addressing the sectors that contribute to the economic activity and social transformation of our countries; this sector generates well-being and is not an enemy of development.”.

In that sense, he pointed out that “those who predict a future without hydrocarbons are mistaken; what we need to build is a future where hydrocarbons, renewable sources, and the very awareness of the consumer give us the vital harmony required to contain the climate crisis.”.

The president highlighted the Government's progress in environmental matters and the fight against climate change, while celebrating the actions of companies in the sector and inviting companies to “make bolder decisions in environmental matters, as they are already doing.”.

In this regard, the president of the Colombian Association of Oil and Gas, Francisco José Lloreda Mera, representing the Oil Guild Committee, stated that, while the responsible parties for climate change are not oil and gas, but Greenhouse Gases and carbon dioxide, the hydrocarbon industry is committed to managing climate change and sustainable energy diversification.

“The hydrocarbon sector represents 71% of the total GHG emissions of the country, and Colombia only contributes between 0.2 and 0.4% of global emissions; neither the country nor the sector are responsible for the climate debacle; however, we are called to play a decisive role in stopping climate change,” he assured.

Lloreda Mera emphasized that, to advance in managing climate change, actions are required more than words, actions of sustainability, and, in that sense, he highlighted that the companies affiliated with the ACP lead 58 projects to reduce 250,000 tons per year of CO2 (17 of which aim to generate 100 MW); and in the fuel segment, in addition to expanding the energy supply at service stations, a strategy to offset 10 million tons of carbon dioxide, CO2, is being led.

“The oil and gas industry has served Colombia for a century; it has contributed to its mobility, to energy generation, to its economic, social, and environmental development. And it is an industry aware of climate change, it is clear about its role in this regard, and it is an ally of the Government to help counteract it,” he emphasized.
Finally, the union leader acknowledged the work of the national Government and, in particular, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, regarding the progress on issues of relevance to the sector in recent years; and reiterated the industry's commitment to continue working for the country.

About the Oil and Gas Summit
The IV Oil and Gas Summit is organized by the Oil Union Committee (CGP) made up of the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP), the Colombian Chamber of Oil Goods and Services (CAMPETROL), the Colombian Association of Petroleum Engineers (ACIPET), the Colombian Association of Geologists and Geophysicists of Petroleum (ACGGP), and the Colombian Association of Engineers (ACIEM).
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