Report
2 min read
• May 5, 2026Improving air quality
Clean air is important to the health of our communities and the environment. As we work to meet the world’s needs for energy and products, we maintain a focus on reducing emissions from our operations.
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2 min read
• May 5, 2026Navigate to:
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are not the full story of air emissions. Our “Improving air quality” focus area covers other types of emissions, like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at our operated assets.
Our approach
Protect Tomorrow. Today. is our guiding principle, and our Environment Policy details our commitment to continuous efforts to improve environmental performance. Our Operations Integrity Management System and Environmental Aspects Guide help us understand and manage risks associated with air quality at our facilities.
Our approach to air quality management includes:
- Understanding the composition and extent of our emissions.
- Meeting or exceeding environmental regulatory requirements.
- Reducing air emissions to minimize potential impacts on local communities.
- Monitoring science and health standards related to air quality.
- Working with regulatory agencies to assess and address potential air quality issues.
Everywhere we work, we strive to deliver leading environmental performance. The standards and practices we apply around the world often go beyond local legal requirements. For new projects, we apply our air emissions Project Environmental Standards. Existing operations regularly review opportunities to reduce air emissions.
Further, our corporate-wide initiatives to reduce GHG emissions intensity have the potential for additional reductions in non-GHG emissions.
In the Permian Basin, we are electrifying more of our operations. Replacing gas-engine driven compressors with electric alternatives, for example, reduces combustion NOx emissions, as well as fugitive methane and associated VOCs.
We have also eliminated routine flaring in our heritage operated assets in the Permian Basin in line with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative.1 Reducing flaring further reduces associated NOx emissions.
Air emissions performance data
From 2016 to 2025 total reportable emissions of VOCs, SOx, and NOx decreased by about 30% at operated assets.2 Lower energy demand during the global pandemic had a direct impact on air emissions. However, our emission-reduction efforts also enabled us to keep these emissions below pre-pandemic levels, even as our throughput increased to record highs.
For historical data on our air emissions, see the performance data table.
Air emissions
Air emissions from ExxonMobil operated assets only.
Spotlight
Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program
At the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) joint venture that we operate near Corpus Christi, Texas, the Gregory-Portland area continued to meet or exceed federal and state air quality standards, even as some standards become more stringent.3
Through three community stations, The University of Texas has continuously monitored the area’s air quality since January 2020. Analysis by the University of Texas at Austin shows that the overall air quality in the area ranks in or near the top 10% compared to data measured at the 40 monitors located throughout the state operated or funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
This data is provided by the Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program and analysis is shared with local residents via direct mail and a regularly updated website, maintained by a third-party affiliated with the University of Texas.
For a more in-depth analysis, visit: https://gpair.ceer.utexas.edu/
Hydrogen fuel switching in Baytown
In a recent Baytown Olefins Plant demonstration project, we designed steam-cracking furnace burners capable of using up to 100% hydrogen fuel to generate the heat needed to make ethylene. These burners defy conventional wisdom, in that NOx emissions typically increase as hydrogen in the fuel increases. This is not the case with the burners we developed, which means they can use more hydrogen to emit less CO2 without emitting more NOx.
In 2024, we completed pilot installation of these burners on one of the plant’s steam-cracking furnaces, where we commercially tested the operation on a fuel mix of up to 98% hydrogen by volume. We successfully demonstrated stable, continuous hydrogen operation, achieving a 90% reduction in direct CO2 emissions. This represents a milestone in efforts to reduce GHG emissions intensity from industrial operations.
SPOTLIGHT
Reducing SOx emissions through low-sulfur fuels
Sulfur in marine fuel is almost entirely converted to SOx during combustion. Supplying the maritime industry with low-sulfur fuels4 can help reduce SOx emissions at sea both in our supply chain and for our customers. At our integrated manufacturing complex in Singapore, we’re using new technologies to turn bottom-of-the-barrel molecules into high-value products. This includes producing low-sulfur fuels to help our customers meet the limits set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), even in Emission Control Areas.5
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Pursuing environmental excellence
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• May 5, 2026FOOTNOTES:
- Reference to routine flaring herein is consistent with the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative/Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership’s principle of routine flaring and excludes safety and non-routine flaring. Heritage operated assets in the Permian Basin refers to Permian Basin assets prior to the acquisition of Pioneer that closed in May 2024.
- Air emissions performance data includes acquisitions (Denbury data beginning November 2, 2023 and Pioneer data beginning May 3, 2024).
- Based on 2020-2025 data as published by Gregory-Portland Air Monitoring Program: https://gpair.ceer.utexas.edu. Federal and state standards refer to the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and TCEQ’s Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCV). Federal and state standards refer to the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and TCEQ’s Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCV)
- Low-sulfur fuels refers to fuels meeting the sulfur content in fuel oil limits set by the International Maritime Organization of 0.50% m/m outside designated Emission Control Areas and 0.10% m/m inside Emission Control Areas. See https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pages/whatsnew-2254.aspx
- SOX Emission Control Areas include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea area, the Mediterranean Sea, the North American area (covering designated coastal areas off the United States and Canada), and United States Caribbean Sea area (around Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands). See https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pages/whatsnew-2254.aspx
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT WARNING
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELEVANT TO FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
Images or statements of future ambitions, aims, aspirations, plans, goals, events, projects, projections, opportunities, expectations, performance, potential addressable markets or conditions in the publications, including plans to reduce, abate, avoid or enable avoidance of emissions or reduce emissions intensity, sensitivity analyses, estimates, the development of future technologies, business plans, and sustainability efforts are dependent on future market factors, such as customer demand, continued technological progress, stable policy support and timely rule-making or continuation of government incentives and funding, and represent forward-looking statements. Similarly, emission-reduction roadmaps to drive toward net zero and similar roadmaps for emerging technologies and markets, and water management roadmaps to reduce freshwater intake and/or manage disposal, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future corporate, market or industry performance or outcomes for ExxonMobil or society and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are even unknown.
Actual future results, including the achievement of ambitions to reach Scope 1 and 2 net zero from operated assets by 2050, to reach Scope 1 and 2 net zero in integrated Upstream Permian Basin unconventional operated assets by 2035, to eliminate routine flaring in-line with World Bank Zero Routine Flaring, to reach near zero methane emissions from operated assets and other methane initiatives to meet ExxonMobil’s greenhouse gas emission reduction plans and goals, divestment and start-up plans, and associated project plans as well as technology advances, including in the timing and outcome of projects to capture, transport and store CO2, produce hydrogen and ammonia, produce lower-emission fuels, produce ProxximaTM systems, produce carbon materials, produce lithium, and use plastic waste as feedstock for advanced recycling; future debt levels and credit ratings; business and project plans, timing, costs, capacities and profitability; resource recoveries and production rates; planned Denbury and Pioneer integrated benefits; detection, measurement and quantification of emissions including obtaining or reporting of that data or updates to previous estimates and progress in sustainability focus areas could vary depending on a number of factors. These include, global or regional changes or imbalances in the supply and demand for oil, gas, petrochemicals, and feedstocks and other market factors; economic conditions and seasonal fluctuations that impact prices, differentials, and volume/mix for our products; new market products and services; future cash flows; our ability to execute operational objectives on a timely and successful basis; the ability to realize efficiencies within and across our business lines; developments or changes in local, national, or international treaties, laws, regulations, taxes, trade sanctions, trade tariffs, or policies affecting our business, such as government policies supporting lower-carbon and new market investment opportunities, or policies limiting the attractiveness of investments such the punitive European taxes on the oil and gas sector and unequal support for different technological methods of emissions reduction or evolving, ambiguous, and unharmonized voluntary and mandatory standards and extraterritorial laws and regulations imposed by various jurisdictions related to sustainability and greenhouse gas reporting and evolving measurement standards for these topics; timely granting of governmental permits, licenses, and certifications; uncertain impacts of deregulation on the legal and regulatory environment; trade patterns and the development and enforcement of local, national and regional mandates; unforeseen technical or operational difficulties; the outcome of research efforts and future technology developments, including the ability to scale projects and technologies such as electrification of operations, advanced recycling, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and ammonia production, ProxximaTM systems, carbon materials or direct lithium extraction on a commercially competitive basis; the development and competitiveness of alternative energy and emission reduction technologies; unforeseen technical or operating difficulties, including the need for unplanned maintenance; availability of feedstocks for lower-emission fuels, hydrogen, or advanced recycling; changes in the relative energy mix across activities and geographies; the actions of co-venturers or competitors; changes in regional and global economic growth rates and consumer preferences including willingness and ability to pay for reduced emissions products; actions taken by governments and consumers resulting from a pandemic; changes in population growth, economic development or migration patterns; timely completion of construction projects; war, civil unrest, attacks against the Company or industry, and other political or security disturbances, including disruption of land or sea transportation routes; decoupling of economies, realignment of global trade and supply chain networks, and disruptions in military alliances; and other factors discussed here and in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the heading “Factors affecting future results” available under the “Earnings” tab through the “Investors” page of our website at www.exxonmobil.com. The Advancing Climate Solutions Report includes 2025 greenhouse gas emissions performance data as of March 13, 2026, and Scope 3 Category 11 estimates for full year 2025 as of March 13, 2026. The greenhouse gas intensity and greenhouse gas emission estimates include Scope 2 market-based emissions. The Sustainability Report, the Advancing Climate Solutions Report, and combined Executive Summary were issued on May 5, 2026. The content and data referenced in these publications focus primarily on our operations from Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2025, unless otherwise indicated. Tables on our “Metrics and data” page were updated to reflect full year 2025 data. Information regarding some known events or activities in 2026 and historical initiatives from prior years are also included. No party should place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates of these publications. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s knowledge and reasonable expectations at the time of publication. ExxonMobil assumes no duty to update these statements or materials as of any future date, and neither future distribution of this material nor the continued availability of this material in archive form on our website should be deemed to constitute an update or re-affirmation of these figures or statements as of any future date. Any future update will be provided only through a public disclosure indicating that fact.
See “ABOUT THE ADVANCING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS” at the end of this document for additional information on these reports and the use of non-GAAP and other financial measures.
ABOUT THE ADVANCING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS
The Advancing Climate Solutions Report contains terms used by the third-party disclosure frameworks. In doing so, ExxonMobil is not obligating itself to use any terms in the way defined or interpreted by any third-party, nor is it obligating itself to comply with any specific recommendation of such parties or to provide any specific disclosure. For example, with respect to the term “material,” individual companies are best suited to determine what information is material, under the long-standing U.S. Supreme Court definition, and whether to include this information in U.S. Securities and Exchange Act filings. The Sustainability Report and Advancing Climate Solutions Report are each a voluntary disclosure and are not designed to fulfill any U.S., foreign, or third-party required reporting framework.
Forward-looking and other statements regarding environmental and other sustainability efforts and aspirations are not intended to communicate any material investment information under the laws of the United States or elsewhere or represent that these are required disclosures in any other context or jurisdiction. These publications are not intended to imply that ExxonMobil has access to any significant non-public insights on future events that the reader could not independently research. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking environmental, climate-related, and other sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future, including future laws and rulemaking. Forward-looking and other statements regarding environmental and other sustainability efforts and aspirations are for informational purposes only and are not intended as an advertisement for ExxonMobil’s equity, debt, businesses, products, or services and the reader is specifically notified that any investor-requested disclosure or future required disclosure is not and should not be construed as an inducement for the reader to purchase any product, services, or security. The statements and analysis in these publications represent a good faith effort by the Company to address these investor requests despite significant unknown variables and at times inconsistent market data, government policy signals, and calculation methodologies and reporting standards.
Actions needed to advance ExxonMobil’s 2030 greenhouse gas emission-reductions plans are incorporated into its medium-term business plans, which are updated annually. The reference case for planning beyond 2030 is based on the Company’s Global Outlook research and publication. The Global Outlook is reflective of the existing global policy environment and an assumption of increasing policy stringency and technology improvement to 2050. However, the Global Outlook does not attempt to project the degree of required future policy and technology advancement and deployment for the world, or ExxonMobil, to meet net zero by 2050. As future policies and technology advancements emerge, they will be incorporated into the GIobal Outlook, and the Company’s business plans will be updated as appropriate. References to projects or opportunities may not reflect investment decisions made by the corporation or its affiliates. Individual projects or opportunities may advance based on a number of factors, including availability of stable and supportive policy, permitting, technological advancement for cost-effective abatement, insights from the company planning process, and alignment with our partners and other stakeholders. Capital investment guidance in lower-emission and other new investments is based on our corporate plan; however, actual investment levels will be subject to the availability and attractiveness of investment opportunities, market conditions, stable public policy support, other factors, and focused on returns.
Energy demand modeling is forward-looking by nature aims to replicate integrated dynamics of the global energy system but necessarily involves simplifications to simulate its complexity. The reference to any modeled scenario or any pathway for an energy transition or expansion, including any potential net-zero scenario, does not imply ExxonMobil views any particular scenario as likely to occur. In addition, energy demand scenarios require assumptions on a variety of parameters. As such, the outcome of any given scenario using an energy demand model comes with a high degree of uncertainty. Third-party scenarios discussed in these reports reflect the modeling assumptions and outputs of their respective authors, not ExxonMobil, and their use or inclusion herein is not an endorsement by ExxonMobil of their underlying assumptions, likelihood, or probability. Investment decisions are made on the basis of ExxonMobil’s separate planning process but may be secondarily tested for robustness or resiliency against different assumptions, including against various scenarios. These reports contain information from third parties. ExxonMobil makes no representation or warranty as to the third-party information. Where necessary, ExxonMobil received permission to cite third-party sources, but the information and data remain under the control and direction of the third parties. ExxonMobil has also provided links in this report to third-party websites for ease of reference. ExxonMobil’s use of the third-party content is not an endorsement or adoption of such information.
ExxonMobil reported emissions, including reductions and avoidance performance data, are based on a combination of measured and estimated data. We assess our performance to support continuous improvement throughout the organization using our Environmental Performance Indicator (EPI) manual. The reporting guidelines and indicators in the Ipieca, the American Petroleum Institute (API), the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers Sustainability Reporting Guidance for the Oil and Gas Industry (5th edition, 2025) and key chapters of the GHG Protocol inform the EPI and the selection of the data reported. Emissions reported are estimates only, and performance data depends on variations in processes and operations, the availability of sufficient data, the quality of those data and methodology used for measurement and estimation. Emissions data is subject to change as methods, data quality, and technology improvements occur, and changes to performance data may be updated. Emissions, reductions, abatements and enabled avoidance estimates for non-ExxonMobil operated facilities are included in the equity data and similarly may be updated as changes in the performance data are reported. ExxonMobil’s plans to reduce emissions are good-faith efforts based on current relevant data and methodology, which could be changed or refined. ExxonMobil works to continuously improve its approach to estimate, detect, measure, and address emissions. ExxonMobil actively engages with industry, including API and Ipieca, to improve emission factors and methodologies, including measurements and estimates.
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References to “resources,” “resource base,” and similar terms refer to the total remaining estimated quantities of oil and natural gas that are expected to be ultimately recoverable. The resource base includes quantities of oil and natural gas classified as proved reserves, as well as quantities that are not yet classified as proved reserves, but that are expected to be ultimately recoverable. The term “resource base” is not intended to correspond to SEC definitions such as “probable” or “possible” reserves. For additional information, see the “Frequently Used Terms” on the Investors page of the Company’s website at www.exxonmobil.com under the header “Modeling Toolkit.” References to “oil” and “gas” include crude, natural gas liquids, bitumen, synthetic oil, and natural gas. The term “project” as used in these publications can refer to a variety of different activities and does not necessarily have the same meaning as in any government payment transparency reports.
Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Mobil, Esso, and XTO. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms such as “Corporation,” “company,” “our,” “we,” and “its” are sometimes used as abbreviated references to one or more specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations, and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity. Nothing contained herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of affiliated companies. Exxon Mobil Corporation’s goals do not guarantee any action or future performance by its affiliates or Exxon Mobil Corporation’s responsibility for those affiliates’ actions and future performance, each affiliate of which manages its own affairs. For convenience and simplicity, words like venture, joint venture, partnership, co-venturer and partner are used to indicate business relationships involving common activities and interests, and those words may not indicate precise legal relationships. These publications cover Exxon Mobil Corporation’s owned and operated businesses and do not address the performance or operations of our suppliers, contractors or partners unless otherwise noted. In the case of certain joint ventures for which ExxonMobil is the operator, we often exercise influence but not control. Thus, the governance, processes, management and strategy of these joint ventures may differ from those in these reports. ExxonMobil completed the acquisitions of Denbury Inc. and Pioneer Natural Resources Company in 2023 and 2024, respectively. These reports and the data therein do not speak of these companies’ pre-acquisition governance, risk management, strategy approaches, or emissions or sustainability performance unless specifically referenced.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR NON-GAAP AND OTHER MEASURES
The Positioned for Growth in a Lower-Emission Future section of the Advancing Climate Solutions Report mentions our assessment of the strength our business and investment portfolio against a range of future outcomes, including third-party scenarios. The Company believes this can be helpful in assessing the resiliency of the business to generate cash from different potential future markets. The performance data presented in the Advancing Climate Solutions Report and Sustainability Report, including on emissions, is not financial data and is not GAAP data.