Carbon neutrality
In a move that positions the province as a leader in the sustainable energy transition, Neuquén has strengthened its legal framework for the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) in oil and gas activity, with emphasis on the Vaca Muerta basin.
The creation of the Undersecretariat for Climate Change in 2024 has catalyzed the implementation of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) protocols. This initiative not only responds to international decarbonization commitments but also aligns productive development with carbon neutrality goals , fostering a low-emission economy that balances growth and environmental preservation.
Provincial Law No. 3454, enacted in 2024, establishes the Neuquén Climate Action Regime, an instrument that promotes development with minimal greenhouse gas emissions and strengthens the State's institutional capacities. This law creates the Provincial Climate Action Cabinet, an External Advisory Council, and a technical coordination unit led by the Undersecretary, tasked with developing a Climate Action Plan based on participatory assessments. Involving all seven provincial regions, the plan incorporates more than 40 adaptation and mitigation measures, covering key sectors such as energy, transportation, waste management, livestock, and forestry, in a process that integrates the private sector and civil society to ensure consensus and effectiveness.
Complementing this structure, Resolution No. 258/2025 of the Undersecretariat has established the Hydrocarbon Sector GHG Emissions Monitoring and Reporting Program , an innovative tool that marks a milestone in the country by prioritizing the detection, quantification, and verification of emissions. Developed in collaboration with the Emissions Commission of the Argentine Institute of Petroleum and Gas (IAPG), the program involves the main operators in Vaca Muerta, establishing standardized methodologies that combine real data with operational efficiency strategies.
Standards that can be monitored
This public-private partnership not only increases transparency but also directs investments towards clean technologies, positioning the province as a strategic ally in the global climate mitigation agenda. A central focus of the approach is methane (CH4), selected for its high global warming potential and its viability for immediate reductions, along with carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Neuquén has joined the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), gaining access to satellite monitoring to identify emissions exceeding 500 kilograms per hour. This system enables rapid and coordinated responses, complemented by ground-based sensors, which not only mitigate environmental impacts but also optimize the sector's profitability by minimizing leaks and improving resource management.
The qualitative leap is evident: in just one year, the province has gone from having no structured climate policy to possessing a framework law, an intersectoral cabinet, and an operational monitoring system. Santiago Nogueira, Undersecretary of Climate Change, underscores this evolution by stating that "climate action isn't decreed; it's built with data, planning, and consensus," emphasizing the importance of real measurements for informed management. This perspective highlights how environmental and energy information serves as the basis for strategic decisions, transforming challenges into opportunities for a more resilient and competitive industry.
From an economic perspective, these measures facilitate access to international climate finance and carbon offsetting mechanisms, encouraging the adoption of innovations that reduce long-term operating costs.
For Vaca Muerta, the epicenter of unconventional production, the commitment to carbon neutrality is no longer just rhetoric but a quantifiable goal, backed by scientific evidence and rigorous planning. Nogueira summarizes this by stating that "you can't manage what you don't measure," a principle that guides the immediate detection of excess emissions and strengthens the efficiency of the productive ecosystem. Looking ahead, Neuquén is emerging as a regional laboratory for exemplary climate practices, with events like Vaca Muerta Net Zero serving as platforms for global alliances. The Climate Action Plan, in its implementation, not only supports an orderly transition towards 2050 but also integrates companies, governments, and international entities into a shared agenda. In this way, the province not only mitigates environmental risks but also reconfigures its role in energy geopolitics, demonstrating that sustainable development is compatible with extractive ambition, provided it is grounded in science and collective participation.