Aplicação de tecnologias da informação para redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa em empresas de óleo e gásGreenwashing ou impacto significativo?

Resumo

Purpose: Evaluate whether disclosures or conclusions of Green IT initiatives (Green of ICT and Green by ICT) are associated with measurable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity in large global oil and gas companies – a sector responsible for approximately 34% of global GHG emissions. Methodology: To achieve the objective, nine integrated oil & gas companies with revenue ≥ US$ 50 billion and shares listed on North American or European stock exchanges were selected. News and reports (2005-2023) were collected via Bloomberg terminal using keywords related to Green IT. A total of 31 events (disclosure or conclusion of IT initiatives potentially reducing emissions) were identified. The dependent variable was emissions intensity (kg CO₂eq/boe) from audited data sources. Finally, Interrupted Time Series (ITS) analyses were applied for each event, as well as ITS models integrated by company, with autocorrelation correction (Newey-West). Findings: In a simple pre/post-event comparison, 90% of the cases showed a significant reduction in intensity, reflecting a sectoral trend of decarbonization. However, in isolated ITS analyses, only 16% of the events showed immediate reductions (β₂<0; p<0.05), and 42% exhibited trend changes (β₃<0; p<0.05). In the integrated models, 33% resulted in level decreases, and 30% altered the trend, with mixed signals: some indicating a rebound effect, others showing sustained improvement. A consistent statistical relationship between Green IT and environmental performance was not established in most cases. Research limitations: limited number of companies and events; reliance on public data; annual frequency of the series; inability to fully isolate external factors (regulation, economic conditions, other technologies). ITS does not establish definitive causality. Practical contributions: the present study highlights the gap between the theoretical potential of ICTs and the impacts effectively observed. It also shows that isolated technological announcements generally do not translate into measurable environmental gains, raising concerns about greenwashing risks. It suggests that companies should (i) seek to define clear environmental return metrics for digital projects; (ii) report investments and outcomes transparently; (iii) integrate IT and sustainability into the prioritization of initiatives; and (iv) monitor short- and long-term effects to avoid rebound. Originality: This is the first known study to use ITS with Newey-West autocorrection in Green IT for O&G, offering a replicable methodology for other carbon-intensive sectors.

Ficha do documento

Tipo

Dissertação

Ano

2025

Instituição

Fundação Getulio Vargas

Fonte

Repositório da FGV

Idioma

Português

Acesso

Não informado

Identificador

oai:repositorio.fgv.br:10438/37158

Temas

TecnologiaMeio Ambiente

Palavras-chave

Tecnologia da informaçãoÓleo e gásGreenwashingSéries temporais interrompidasSustentabilidadeGases do efeito estufaPetróleoGás