Our approach

A Sumuri woman and children, Papua province, Indonesia

Our success in part depends on our ability to create tangible benefits from our presence and gain the support of local communities

Our projects typically have a timeframe of 20 to 30 years and our success in part depends on our ability to create tangible benefits from our presence and gain the support of local communities. To do this, we take action that is relevant to local circumstances, mutually beneficial and designed to create enduring solutions, as opposed to short-term fixes. As our GCE Tony Hayward said in 2008: “The focus should be to make a positive difference to society through genuine partnerships, something that BP refers to as mutual advantage.”

Investment in education, for example, can promote sustainable development as well as providing skilled workers for BP and other companies. Support for local enterprise drives economic growth as well as helping local companies qualify as our suppliers.

BP remains committed to the guiding principles of the UN Global Compact.

In financial terms our direct contribution to communities through community programmes in 2008 was $125.6 million. This brought total spending over the past five years to $551.3 million, exceeding our anticipated spending of $500 million over the five-year cycle beginning in 2004. The contribution to communities in 2008 was made up of $74.9 million contributed in the US, $20 million in the UK, $4.3 million in other European countries and $26.4 million in the rest of the world.

Chart representing BPs contribution to communities in $ million

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When we are building major projects or dealing with complex issues we hold ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders to get their views and keep them informed. Examples are the Tangguh Independent Advisory Panel which has provided scrutiny of a major new project in Papua, Indonesia and the Azerbaijan Social Review Commission, which provides challenge, advice and assurance on our performance on social issues. We also engage with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and socially responsible investors to provide greater detail and transparency on our activities.

Independent monitors

Dialogue and engagement

Attestation

The information on this page forms part of the information reviewed and reported on by Ernst & Young as part of BP's 2008 sustainability reporting.

View Ernst & Young's assurance statement

Specific observation by Ernst & Young: BP describes in detail how it has met its historic five year commitment of spending $500 million on community programmes. In our discussions with community investment specialists, the need for guidelines for measuring success and evaluating the effectiveness of these community programmes was raised. This should be taken into consideration, alongside areas of proposed spend, as BP develops its plans for future community investment.