American multinational oil and gas corporation Exxonmobil is attempting to gain permission to construct an underground pipeline to transport captured CO2 from its Fawley Manufacturing Complex, to store it under the English Channel.

That two of the three proposed routes run across the Isle of Wight has led to widespread concern, with a petition signed by 25,000 people and an opposition group being set up by councillors.

The Isle of Wight National Landscape has also issued a response, and consultation meetings have been attended across the Island.

But what does ExxonMobil have to say about it?

Here we have put together all the company's responses so far.

When the scheme was first announced, a spokesperson said: "The company is seeking approval to construct an underground pipeline from the Fawley petrochemical complex to the only identified offshore CO2 storage site in the English Channel.

"This initiative aims to safely transport millions of tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing five million cars from the road each year.

"Our aim is to carefully design the pipeline to avoid or reduce environmental impacts.

"Where practicable, the design of the pipeline corridors has avoided areas where there could be significant impacts. Examples of mitigation could be retaining notable trees to reduce impacts to the visual landscape, installing temporary bales of hay to retain hedgerow connectivity for wildlife, and installing noise barriers to reduce temporary construction impacts.

"Once the pipeline has been installed, we will reinstate the land to its former state where possible."

Michael Foley, UK Low Carbon Solutions Venture Executive at ExxonMobil, added: "The UK Climate Change Committee acknowledge CCS technology as a game-changer, describing it as a ‘necessity not an option’.

"We are proud of the work we are doing to bring it to the Solent, one of the most industrially significant areas in the UK.

“Many industrial sectors in the Solent are essential yet challenging to decarbonise, like those at our Fawley complex, which produces a diverse range of essential products like fuels and rubber products."

Once a petition signed by concerned residents got underway, ExxonMobil was asked for a response.

The reply came from Mr Foley, who said: "We are here to listen and to understand views on how the proposed consultation corridors would perform, and encourage everyone to take part.

"CCS is proven technology, which the UK Climate Change Committee, and the UK Government, consider key to achieving a significant reduction in industrial CO2 emissions – the industries that produce essential products that we rely on every day."

In response to councillors Claire Critchison and Nick Stuart setting up and opposition group, Mr Foley issued a statement.

He said: “We are committed to ensuring the project respects the unique environmental and community needs of the Isle of Wight. 

“As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, we are required to fully consider and mitigate potential impacts to habitats as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) that will be submitted with our DCO application. 

“The EIA and HRA will consider the cumulative impacts of the related marine pipeline and the storage. 

“However, where practicable, the design of the pipeline corridors has avoided areas where there could be significant impacts. 

“We welcome all views and encourage everyone to take part in the ongoing consultation to help us shape this project, particularly in choosing the pipeline’s path.” 

When told the petition had reached 25,000 signatures, Mr Foley said: "As part of our commitment to following the Development Consent Order (DCO) process as set out by the UK Government, we are currently inviting local communities and stakeholders - via our consultation - to help us shape this project, particularly in choosing the pipeline’s path.

"We recognise that there is a range of views on the project, but if we are to ensure the UK continues to have the vital heating, transport fuels, and products that people rely on every day, while at the same time lowering emissions, it is recognised by the UK Government and independent experts alike that CCS technology will play a critical role.

"Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a proven technology that has seen underground pipelines safely deployed around the world for more than 50 years, with ExxonMobil itself operating hundreds of miles of pipeline."

At the consultation meetings, no photographs, video recordings or interviews were allowed within the event spaces.

A large, briefed team of ExxonMobil staff were on hand to speak with visitors.

The opposition group will be established with a small committee on September 11.

Following the launch, the councillors will host a mid-September public meeting.

The first gathering will make plans and organise for a wider public meeting for when the campaign hopes to get underway.