Environmental protection

Since 2009, NIS has invested more than 900 million euros in environmental projects and projects that significantly contribute to the improvement of environmental protection. These investments have improved the ecological image of the whole of Serbia, and that is why the company will insist on the further implementation of its green agenda in the coming period. NIS has incorporated its attitude towards environmental protection into the company’s vision and mission, adopted values ​​and HSE policy. For the company, environmental protection means sustainable use of natural resources, as well as monitoring all activities that may have a negative impact on the environment.

Measures are being actively implemented to reduce the impact on the environment. The basic goals of NIS in the field of environmental protection are focused on compliance with all regulations related to air, water and soil, as well as on generating as little as possible, a greater degree of recycling and disposal of the generated waste. For the company, it is also important to monitor the state of the environment in the prescribed scope and dynamics, as well as to preserve biodiversity in the areas of business. NIS is committed to reducing the impact on climate change, and its employees participate in nature improvement and waste collection actions. In this way, by personal example, they promote commitment to the protection of the environment in which they work and live.

Ecological projects

NIS proves its responsibility towards the environment with numerous projects and significant investments in the field of environmental protection. We improve production activities by implementing projects in accordance with the best available techniques and technologies (BAT – Best Available Technics), and in 2021 alone, NIS invested 355.6 million dinars in the implementation of environmental protection projects. Environmental investment projects were implemented in order to comply with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and the European Union. The most significant ecological projects implemented in previous years are projects that result in a significant reduction in the emission of pollutants into the air (ЅO2, NOx and particulate matter), an increase in energy efficiency, improvement in waste and wastewater management, and rehabilitation and reclamation of land (historical pollution).

Emission of gases with the greenhouse effect (reducing the impact on climate change)

There is a deep-rooted perception of the oil and gas industry as an industry that has a significant impact on increasing the level of greenhouse gases due to indirect emissions resulting from the use of the industry’s products. That is why companies in the oil and gas sector are under increasing pressure from investors and the public when it comes to the need to transition to a low-carbon economy.

If we talk about the greenhouse effect, in this area we have developed a mechanism for monitoring gas emissions at the level of the entire Company. On the basis of these data, the carbon footprint of the Company, “Carbon footprint”, is created, which represents the total emissions of gases with the greenhouse effect resulting from production and technical technological activities in all organizational parts. The Company regularly reports on the results achieved in the segment of climate protection. The reporting mechanism at this stage includes Scope 1 and Scope 2, and expansion to Scope 3 is planned.

In the coming period, our company expects the improvement of the system of management and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, in accordance with the by-laws of the Law on Climate Change, which will be introduced in the coming period. In this light, a working group was formed in our company, which consists of employees from various organizational parts. The main task of our colleagues will be monitoring, reporting and verification of GHG emissions, which includes obtaining a permit for GHG emissions from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia.

Waste Management

By carrying out its activities, the Company generates both non-hazardous and hazardous waste, which are handled in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia.

From non-hazardous waste, various types of metals are mostly generated (about 85%), as well as non-hazardous packaging waste, while from hazardous waste, oil sludge and oily waste are mostly generated (about 71%), as well as sulfuric acid, catalysts and dangerous packaging.

The company has equipped its locations with special containers for collecting paper and cardboard, PET packaging and cans in order to raise the fulfillment of national goals to a higher level.

With the development of a special software solution, Application for waste records, the monitoring of the generation and movement of waste, as well as reporting to the competent authorities, has been simplified in the Company.

Management of chemicals

In our Company, a large number of different chemicals are used during work and production activities, and the safe use of chemicals is of great importance. Employees who handle chemicals must have available a safety data sheet (Safety Data Sheet) or an extract from the safety data sheet, appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and must be trained to work with chemicals. Except in warehouses, laboratories, plants,  refuelling stations, all safety lists are available to our employees on the Company’s internal portal, while the SDS lists of chemicals registered under REACH are available on the Company’s website.

Due to the large number of chemicals and their different applications, each Block/Subsidiary has its own designated Chemical Advisor, who takes care of the proper management of chemicals within the scope of his work.

Water management

NIS pays special attention to a responsible attitude towards water resources and continues with the installation and reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities, so that currently there are 405 wastewater treatment facilities in the Company.

The largest amount of water is used for refinery needs, as much as 77%. The use of water resources is necessary for the functioning of production and technological processes such as steam production, operation of cooling systems, provision of fire protection, cooling of tanks and checking of water tightness. In 2021, the volume of processing was increased, which led to increased water needs, as well as the operation of a new plant for deep processing. The condensate polishing plant achieved a saving of 35.5% in the intake of fresh water for the needs of production processes.

Our Company has not affected the quality of the surface water bodies from which treated wastewater is collected and discharged into. Surface water bodies are considered the least sensitive water resources, and considering that 82% of water is captured from them, NIS saves underground water reserves as well as water from public water supply systems, intended for public water supply and the food industry.

One of the supporting activities of NIS is the bottling of drinking water from the Jazak spring. High-quality spring water, with a recognizable taste and optimal mineral composition, from one of the purest Fruška Gora natural water sources, located in the immediate vicinity of the Jazak Monastery in the Fruška Gora National Park, is produced in accordance with the highest standards in this segment of production.