World Environment Day 2025: Chevron Nigeria’s Ongoing Commitment to Environmental Protection

Every year on June 5, the world comes together to observe World Environment Day (WED)—a global platform dedicated to raising awareness and driving action on pressing environmental challenges. Since its inception in 1973, WED has focused attention on issues such as marine pollution, climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, and wildlife conservation.

2025 Theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”

This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” shines a spotlight on one of the most persistent environmental threats of our time. Plastic waste—ranging from bottles and bags to harmful microplastics—continues to choke waterways, oceans, and landscapes. The crisis is largely fueled by the widespread use of single-use plastics, weak waste management systems, and the non-biodegradable nature of plastic materials.

Chevron Nigeria Leading by Example

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the operator of the joint venture between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Chevron, is standing firmly behind this year’s global call to action. The company has long integrated environmental responsibility into its operations and strategies.

Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of CNL, emphasized that the 2025 WED theme aligns with Chevron’s core values:

“At Chevron, our commitment to environmental stewardship guides our decisions across the entire asset lifecycle—from design and development to operations and retirement.”

He noted that the company is actively reducing plastic waste by:

• Replacing single-use plastic water bottles with water dispensers.

• Investing in waste management equipment for shredding, crushing, and compacting plastic waste.

• Partnering with third-party recyclers to ensure proper reuse and disposal.

These initiatives, Swartz said, are helping to prevent plastic waste from leaking into the surrounding environment and harming ecosystems.

Operational Excellence in Action

Chevron’s Operational Excellence Management System ensures top-tier performance across safety, environmental care, and reliability. Swartz highlighted that CNL is advancing its lower carbon strategy by:

• Reducing the carbon intensity of its operations.

• Deploying Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) technology to detect and reduce methane emissions.

• Cutting routine gas flaring by over 97% in the past decade.

Environmental Partnerships and Legacy Projects

Chevron Nigeria’s environmental advocacy is not just internal—it extends deep into community partnerships and conservation efforts.

• In 1992, CNL partnered with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to establish the Lekki Conservation Centre, a 78-hectare haven for biodiversity and a hub for environmental education.

• Since 2005, CNL has sponsored an annual PhD scholarship through the NCF to support environmental and conservation research.

• The company also co-hosts the S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture and partners with the Lagos State Government and NCF for the annual Walk for Nature, an event aimed at promoting nature conservation and sustainable living.

Olusoga Oduselu, CNL’s General Manager for Policy, Government and Public Affairs, reinforced the company’s longstanding dedication:

“For over 60 years, Chevron has collaborated with communities, industry regulators, and conservation groups to protect biodiversity and support sustainable development.”

A Shared Future

As the world intensifies its battle against plastic pollution, Chevron Nigeria Limited is reaffirming its role as a proactive partner in creating meaningful environmental change. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and public awareness campaigns, CNL remains committed to shaping a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world—for today and for future generations.