Adhering to an Environmental Management System (EMS) is the start point in moving an organisation towards a sustainable future. The aim of this study is to identify the barriers for effective implementation of an EMS (ISO4001) in the Libyan oil sector, which would benefit in smoother implementation in future and as a result will lead to environmental sustainability to the oil sector and the country as a whole. To meet the aim, literature reviews and interviews were carried out, and a case study of Azzawya Oil Company in Libya was conducted. The results of the study show that the most significant barriers are those related to poor leadership and management, resources issues of financial, HR and technical were the second most significant barrier, and external political obstacles of organizational culture and negative attitudes were the third most significant barriers. It is recommended that awareness of environmental issues in the oil sector is raised through the provision of effective human resource management along with appropriate financial and technical means.

Sustainability is increasingly considered an essential business function, but in Libya, petroleum companies are slow to address operational issues that could reduce environmental concerns. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of upstream petroleum operations. The methods adopted in the study are a literature review, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study and qualitative analyses from, fieldwork trials and 56 semi-structured interviews. The results of the study show that the main environmental impacts are aquatic, terrestrial or atmospheric, with the most significant pollutants linked to the latter category, mainly from engine exhausts, turbine emissions, gas flaring and venting. Major environmental degradations are identified in Libyan upstream operations and a number of recommendations formulated minimising their effect. Particular importance is placed on establishing strict sustainability policies and regulations, and the implementation of an environmental management system.

Sustainability is increasingly considered an essential business function, but in Libya, petroleum companies are slow to address operational issues that could reduce environmental concerns. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of upstream petroleum operations. The methods adopted in the study are a literature review, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study and qualitative analyses from, fieldwork trials and 56 semi-structured interviews. The results of the study show that the main environmental impacts are aquatic, terrestrial or atmospheric, with the most significant pollutants linked to the latter category, mainly from engine exhausts, turbine emissions, gas flaring and venting. Major environmental degradations are identified in Libyan upstream operations and a number of recommendations formulated minimising their effect. Particular importance is placed on establishing strict sustainability policies and regulations, and the implementation of an environmental management system.