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Biodiversity

The rich biodiversity of our planet is under threat. We understand that transformative change is needed and recognize there is also an intrinsic link between the need for global action on biodiversity and climate change. As part of our purpose – to reimagine energy for people and our planet – we are taking action to restore, maintain and enhance nature
Aerial view of a bioenergy plant

Enhancing biodiversity

Our aim 16 is making a positive impact through our actions to restore, maintain and enhance ‎biodiversity where we work.‎


We will do this by putting our biodiversity position into action. In doing so, we expect that from 2022 all ‎new bp projects in scope will have plans in place aiming to achieve net positive impact, with a target for ‎‎90% of actions to be delivered within five years of project approval.

 

What we are going to do

  • We commit not to operate any new oil and gas exploration or production activities inside the boundary of officially inscribed UNESCO World Heritage sites; and inside the boundary of Strict Nature Reserves (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN category Ia) or Wilderness Areas (IUCN category Ib)) as listed on 1 January 2020.
  • We will aim to achieve a net positive impact on biodiversity in our new projects.
  • We will aim to enhance biodiversity around our existing major operating sites.
  • We will support biodiversity restoration and the sustainable use of natural resources.

 

Our biodiversity position provides additional information on each of these points.

Protected areas

We review bp activities in or near protected areas each year and disclose where bp is operating. We also engage with others to make sure we keep up to speed with best practice.

Working with others

We are working to establish partnerships with global conservation organizations to support the delivery of these activities and will continue to work with others to promote the need for action on biodiversity.


We have been integrating biodiversity into our practices and decision-making for over 15 years. We plan to strengthen this further as part of our wider strategic approach to sustainability and to periodically review this position.


We will continue to work with governments, industry associations, and businesses including our suppliers and our joint ventures, to influence and promote collective action on biodiversity.


Our engagement with others includes:

  • participation in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Business and Biodiversity Forum
  • our membership of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures Forum – we are piloting its draft framework together with WBCSD and IPIECA
  • support for IPEICA’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Working Group and the UNEP-WCMC Proteus Partnership
  • participation in the Science-Based Targets for Nature initiative.

 

bp and biodiversity in 2022

The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) finalized its Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework in 2022. It includes 2030 targets and 2050 goals to put biodiversity on a path to recovery. We have supported calls for clear, concise and ambitious targets for nature at COP15, through IPIECA and the UK Business & Biodiversity Forum. We also promoted the need for action as a member of Business for Nature and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.


We have integrated our net positive impact biodiversity methodology into several new bp projects, including a pipeline replacement project under way in Trinidad and Tobago. We are also working with local organizations to restore biodiversity in Türkiye, Georgia and India.

 

Biodiversity enhancement in our operations

bp owns, leases and manages land and is licensed to use sea areas for our operations. This means we have opportunities to enhance biodiversity around our operating sites. We are currently defining how we can integrate support for specific biodiversity initiatives into these operations by creating biodiversity enhancement plans.


Biodiversity restoration

We support biodiversity restoration projects in countries where we operate. We are also supporting research which aims to identify important biodiversity areas for future conservation or restoration.