Climate Lobbying Overview: Viva Energy appears to have a mixed position on climate change policy, due to broadly positive top-line messaging on climate change policy and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Notably, however, the company appears to actively support a major long term role of natural gas in the energy mix.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Viva Energy appears mixed in its top-line messaging on climate policy. In its 2020 Annual Report (published in February 2021), the company supported action to meet Australia’s carbon reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement, but on its corporate website, as of August 2021, it is unclear whether it supports ambitious GHG emissions reductions in line with a 2 °C or 1.5 °C target. Furthermore, Viva Energy’s support for the need for climate change regulation appears heavily qualified; for example in a consultation response in February 2018, the company supported “a simple yet effective policy framework” nationally in Australia, but qualified this support by opposing state-level regulation and highlighting risks of climate regulation to industrial competitiveness, in relation to Australia’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG) and Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target.

Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Viva Energy's lobbying on specific climate policy appears to be limited to engagement on GHG regulation in Australia. In a February 2018 submission to the Energy Security Board, the company appeared to support the federal NEG, although it expressed strong support for exemptions for Emission Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) industries. Nonetheless, in its 2019 Annual Report (published February 2020) the company stated support for the improvement of fuel standards in Australia, including the introduction of the 10ppm sulfur level in gasoline.

Positioning on Energy Transition: Viva Energy appears to be generally supportive of the transition to a low-carbon economy through its top-line messaging; for example, a joint statement by Chairman Robert Hill and CEO Scott Wyatt from February 2020 stated that Viva was “seeking to participate in the transition to a low-carbon future”. However, Viva Energy appears to support a long term role for fossil gas in the energy mix, with limited reference to the need for abatement, i.e. with Carbon Capture and Storage. For example, in a position document title “The Case for Gas”, published May 2021, Viva Energy argued “renewables cannot provide all the electricity we need… natural gas is the perfect complement to the intermittent nature of renewable energy” and appeared to suggest that there would be no reduction in the use of fossil gas up to and beyond 2040. Additionally, in 2020, as part of Australia’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, CEO Scott Wyatt recommended “cutting red and green tape to help the gas industry rapidly increase gas extraction”, to support the long-term role of natural gas in the energy mix.

Industry Association Governance: Viva Energy has links to several trade associations that appear to not fully support meaningful climate change policy, including the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network, the Australian Institute of Petroleum and the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association. In its 2020 annual report, Viva Energy lists some, but not all, of these associations, however it does not disclose any further details of their climate policy positions or the company’s alignment on climate change policy. Along with this, Viva Energy has not published a full audit disclosure of its industry links.