Our biodiversity position
Our biodiversity position builds on robust practices already in place to manage biodiversity across bp projects. It sets out the actions we are taking to restore, maintain and enhance nature
Our biodiversity position states:
- 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.
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 will continue to work with governments, industry associations, and businesses including our suppliers and our joint ventures. Our engagement with others includes:
- membership of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures Forum – we have reviewed its framework and provided feedback. We have also used the framework to feed into our work to prepare for future nature-related disclosure requirements
- support for Ipieca’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Working Group and the UNEP-WCMC Proteus Partnership
- sponsorship of the UK Business & Biodiversity Forum, which together with the International Chamber of Commerce UK and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, supports businesses in integrating biodiversity into their activities
- engagement with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Nature Positive working group.
Biodiversity enhancement at our major operating sites
We aim to implement plans to enhance biodiversity at our major operating sites. In 2024 all our major operating sites located in biodiversity sensitive areas continued preparation work on biodiversity enhancement plans.
In August 2024 we issued guidance for our operating sites that included tangible examples of biodiversity enhancements that can be applied at and around sites.
Biodiversity restoration
We are supporting five projects, in the UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, as well as running restoration feasibility studies in India and Georgia. These projects, which include the restoration of seagrass, coral reefs and forests, have already achieved some early success.
In addition to these ongoing projects, we plan to support three more restoration projects – in the US and Brazil – with work beginning in 2025.
Collaboration
We are involved in several cross-industry groups to learn from other organizations and promote the need for collective action on biodiversity, including:
- Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Forum
- Joint IOGP/Ipieca Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services working Group and the UNEP-WCMC Proteus Partnership
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Nature Positive working group
- UK Business & Biodiversity Forum
Protected areas
We review bp activities in or near protected areas each year and report on the number and overlap of our major operating sites in or near to protected or key biodiversity areas. We also engage with others to make sure we keep up to speed with best practice.