As a respected U.S. energy industry leader, Williams prides itself on its commitment to sustainability. Its just-released Sustainability Report—which covers the 2023 reporting year—details how the company is using its vast natural gas network to drive sustainability in communities across the country, employing innovative technology and operational improvements to meet its customers’ growing natural gas needs and deliver value to shareholders.
Here’s a look at how Williams is meeting the energy challenges of today—while building a sustainability-driven energy company of the future.
Making Progress on Climate Goals
In 2023, Williams made good on its promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company outperformed its methane emissions target of a 5% reduction from a 3-year average (2020-2022). It also became the first large midstream company in the U.S. to join the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, an international methane emissions reporting initiative, and approved a Scope 1 methane intensity target of achieving a 0.0375% methane intensity of operated assets by 2028—a goal that’s lower than the EPA’s own threshold.
Since 2018, expansion projects and acquisitions have led to a 47% increase in Williams’ energy output, while emissions intensity decreased by 26%, underscoring Williams’ ability to transport natural gas and grow at the same time. The company has likewise made progress toward its updated greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal—a 30% decrease in intensity-based carbon emissions by 2028.
Williams’ values around climate extend to being responsible stewards of biodiversity in areas of operation. In 2023 Williams facilitated the purchase of Miller Mountain, a 2,500-acre forested property in northwestern Pennsylvania, making it part of Pinchot State Forest and ensuring permanent protection and public access.
Driving Innovation
Last year also marked continued investment in technology and operations. Work is underway to commercialize NextGen Gas—gas that is responsibly produced, gathered, processed, stored and transported end-to-end with the lowest possible environmental impact. Williams also continued to support two regional hydrogen hubs in the Pacific Northwest and Appalachia, which the Department of Energy (DOE) identified for investment and development.
Williams’ efforts to safely capture and store carbon in Wyoming as part of the state’s clean energy initiative were also detailed in the report. The company was awarded two grants under the DOE’s Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Program, and partnered with the University of Wyoming to study the feasibility of safe long-term carbon storage near the Echo Springs gas plant.
Engaging Employees
The report also highlighted the high level of community engagement that characterizes Williams’ 5,300-strong workforce. During Williams Volunteer Week, employees took part in 120 projects in 19 states, leading volunteer efforts that ranged from packing healthy snacks for schoolchildren to building with Habitat for Humanity. In addition, the company donated more than $13.1 million to 2,000+ organizations (including first responders). And Williams’ 10 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are thriving, with a total membership of more than 1,350 employees.
Williams also continued its efforts to cultivate a future workforce, recruiting for entry- level jobs and internships at 14 universities and 28 technical schools across the U.S. In addition, the company launched scholarship programs at 16 technical schools to help students access programs that will provide the necessary skills for operational jobs.
Earning Accolades
Williams’ commitment to transparency and governance around climate change and other critical topics drew recognition across multiple indices and assessments in 2023, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), CDP Climate Change Questionnaire and MSCI. Williams was also named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024 by Newsweek magazine, ranking first in the Energy & Utilities industry.
The 2023 Sustainability Report underscores not only Williams’ leadership but also how sustainability is intertwined with responsible corporate stewardship and long-term financial success. Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong said, “Williams was founded 116 years ago on hard work and a commitment to do the right thing. Today, those principles continue to energize our employee culture, innovate our problem solving and power the promise of a sustainable energy future.”