Climate & Circular Resources
We are committed to promoting environmental protection and the responsible management of resources in all the locations where we operate. Our key areas of focus include forestation, energy efficiency, circular waste management, and biodiversity.
These efforts are closely aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Projects
We support a range of projects aimed at accelerating climate action, conserving biodiversity, and promoting a circular economy. Our efforts include the following:
Project Crimson
Since 2020, we’ve partnered with environmental charity Project Crimson to support two large-scale tree planting initiatives in Taranaki and Wairarapa on New Zealand’s North Island. This initiative brings together farmers, iwi (indigenous tribes), Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust, the Department of Conservation (DoC), Ngāti Tawhirikura, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, and various community groups.
Our partnership with Project Crimson has so far supported two key projects:
- The first focuses on revitalizing natural habitats for taonga species (native plants and animals that hold cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for the Māori people) along the Waiwhakaiho River catchment. Mana Whenua (local Māori people with ancestral ties to the land) will work with key stakeholders to plant and restore native vegetation at traditional food-gathering locations stretching from the river mouth at Rewarewa up to Maunga Taranaki, where 64,685 trees have been planted across 22 hectares.
- The second initiative aims to create the Wairarapa-Tonganui Ecological Corridor, reconnecting the indigenous forests of the Aorangi and Remutaka mountain ranges through native plantings. This area encompasses Wairarapa Moana, the largest wetland in the North Island south of Taupo, along with surrounding farmland and the steep catchments flowing into the Ruamahanga River and Palliser Bay. For this project, 217,786 trees have been planted over 106 hectares.
This partnership reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and supports SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Romania Plants for Tomorrow
Since 2008, OMV Petrom has been one of the largest private companies involved in volunteer reforestation efforts in Romania. To date, the company has planted over 700,000 trees across 140 hectares.
In 2019, we launched “Romania Plants for Tomorrow” — our largest tree planting campaign to date, which spans seven counties. This campaign is conducted in partnership with six environmental NGOs: Act for Tomorrow, MaiMultVerde, Pădurea Copiilor, Plantăm fapte bune în România, Viitor Plus, and Parcul Natural Văcărești. Approximately 24,800 volunteers, including 1,400 OMV Petrom employees, planted 3 million trees over 605 hectares.
We will continue this campaign for the next year, reaching the threshold of 1 million trees planted in Romanian cities. Meanwhile, our partner NGOs will maintain the planted areas to ensure the trees thrive and are able to absorb as much CO2 as possible.
Please find the revised text bellow: Romania plants for tomorrow
This initiative supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Climate Research Forest
We supported the Austrian Research Center for Forests (BFW) to establish a climate research forest in the Lower Austrian district of Matzen-Raggendorf. This research project, which is set to run until 2030, focuses on the cultivation, management, and study of the forest. Since 2019, 23 different tree species have been planted across approximately five hectares.
Open to the public since 2021, the forest features recreational areas and a nature trail that invites visitors to explore the importance of woodlands and connect with nature. It also serves as a research site where climate-relevant data is collected to assess functions such as carbon storage and biodiversity support.
The goal is to identify tree species and combinations that can thrive in the context of climate change and support the overall health of the forest.
This initiative supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Paper Recycling in Local Schools
We partner with the Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust in New Zealand to fund Paper4Trees, a program which encourages waste reduction in schools and preschools in the Taranaki region of North Island. As a reward for their recycling efforts, participating institutions receive native trees and plants for their grounds. The initiative helps raise awareness among children about the environmental benefits of recycling and the importance of native trees.
Paper4Trees supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Moawhitu Wetland Rehabilitation Project on D’Urville Island
We are supporting a project to rehabilitate the Moawhitu wetland on D’Urville Island, located on the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. This project aims to restore the lake and wetlands by improving water quality and habitats, with the goal of bringing back healthy wildlife populations.
Moawhitu is a site of national ecological importance and part of a long-term ecological restoration project that we have supported for many years. Historically, the land was covered in native lowland forest giants such as rimu, matai, kahikatea, and totara. It also holds cultural significance as a former mahinga kai (traditional food harvesting) site, once renowned for its large population of tuna.
With our continued support, the project aims to restore indigenous vegetation corridors and improve freshwater quality, ensuring the long-term health of the ecosystem for future generations.
This initiative supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Romania Eficienta
We support România Eficientă, the largest private initiative promoting energy efficiency in Romania. The project aims to help Romania achieve its 2030 goals for reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency using two key approaches:
- Carrying out major renovations to meet Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) standards in public schools: One of Romania Eficientă's key achievements is the renovation of Liliești High School. This project was Romania’s largest private investment in energy renovation for a school, costing EUR 1.6 million. Completed in March 2023, the refurbishment uses photovoltaic panels and a heat pump system to cut energy consumption for heating by 60%.
- Raising public awareness and education around energy efficiency: The initiative provides learning opportunities about the benefits of energy-efficient buildings, including through visits to schools and universities, educational materials, teacher training, and public engagement.
This project supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Project STOP
Environmental pollution from plastic waste is a global challenge, with millions of tons leaking into the environment and oceans every year. This mismanaged waste harms marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and human health while hindering sustainable development. Launched in 2017 by Borealis and SYSTEMIQ, Project STOP is helping to address this challenge by establishing low-cost, efficient, and circular waste management systems to prevent plastic leakage at the source and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
This project supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Tiny Forest
Tiny forests fulfil many ecological and social functions. They provide a habitat for many plant and animal species, contribute to biodiversity and nature conservation. They also bind carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and regulate the urban microclimate. And the urban population benefits from the creation of green areas. These diverse ecosystem services are being researched as part of the new ‘tiny forest’ project of the Federal Research Centre for Forests (BFW), which OMV is supporting as part of its social responsibility. The project also includes extensive monitoring of the tiny forest at the CAPE10 house in Vienna, for which the basis for further projects is being developed. In additional awareness is being created for the local population and neighbors. The mini forest was planted in November 2022 where it will be left to natural vegetation.
This initiative supports SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).