We try to work in ways that will benefit the communities and habitats where we do business – and earn the world’s respect

Finding oil and gas can take years. So can building facilities to extract it. Production can run for decades. And some of the new and renewable energy sources we’re developing may not reach common usage until well into this century. 

Supporting communities, preserving the environment

In other words, we have a long-term commitment to the communities we work within. As such, we recognise a responsibility to create more than quick revenues from our investments. Whatever we do, wherever we do it, we always strive to preserve and improve the surrounding environment, support enterprising business people and encourage energy-related education. 

This is why, for example, we planned the construction schedule for the BTC pipeline around the breeding season of a rare local grouse. And why we funded satellite transmitters to help experts track endangered sea turtles in the nearby seas. 

It’s why we’ve started programmes to share our business knowledge with entrepreneurs in Angola, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere. It’s why we sponsor university programmes and send our employees into schools around the world, to help children learn how energy works and to inspire tomorrow’s energy experts. 

Improving our organisation 

We also recognise the need to constantly look at and improve our own organization. So, for example, we work to rigorous health and safety standards and hold all our employees to a global code of conduct. We hold all new projects to a set of environmental requirements. And we encourage each other, the people who work for BP, to raise any concerns they have about the business. 

When measuring our progress, we don’t rely only on our own perspective. Our annual Sustainability Report, charting our progress on environmental, health, safety and other measures, is independently verified by Ernst & Young. We also regularly invite our customers, shareholders, suppliers and others to tell us what they think of BP. 

Finding energy to fuel the future 

Some challenges are so big they belong to the world. The threat of climate change is one example. Another is the need to harness enough energy to sustain not just life as we know it but also the better life taking shape in places where once-developing economies are beginning to boom. 

Finding ways to balance these seemingly conflicting challenges will define the future of energy, at least for some decades to come. We are helping to shape this debate, as well as some of the solutions. 

In fact, looking for tomorrow’s energy is as much a part of our business as supplying people and businesses with the fuel, products and power they need today. 

It’s what we do.