1. Home
  2. News and insights
  3. Reimagining energy magazine
  4. Bernard answers your questions

Ask our CEO

Release date:
28 July 2021
Bernard Looney with the words ceo Q&A as an overlay
“To tackle the climate emergency, bp needs to switch to 100% renewables or shut down.”  That's just one comment put to our CEO Bernard in the 18 months since he joined social media.
 
Watch his responses in the videos and find out how you can ask your own questions, below.

Ginny questions: how is it possible to get to net zero while still producing oil and gas?

Bernard’s answer in brief…

  • Climate change is real, and we need emissions to fall dramatically.
  • bp has a net zero ambition and a new strategy to achieve that ambition.
  •  We are significantly rebalancing but still spending half our annual spend into oil and gas by 2030.
  • The money we make from oil and gas funds our transformation.

Cathie asks why can’t we just shut down?

Bernard’s answer in brief…

  • Shutting down is not the answer – others will produce oil and gas if bp doesn’t.
  • Green companies can’t get the world to net zero alone.
  • We need greening companies like bp – carbon-intensive companies that have real net zero plans.
  • Greening companies need support.
  • We need to get behind every business that is serious about changing – engage them; challenge them.

Next up, Tim thinks net zero by 2050 isn’t ambitious enough

Bernard’s answer in brief…

  • There is absolutely a need for action.
  • The Paris Agreement recognizes that the transition to net zero cannot and will not happen overnight.   
  • But we are getting after it!
  • We’ve set 2030 aims and tough 2025 targets – not just a 2050 ambition.
  • And we want to help the world – helping cities and corporates to decarbonize.
  • And advocating for low carbon policies. 

Aryt questions bp’s alignment with the Paris Agreement goals

Bernard’s answer in brief…

  • By 2050, we aim to be net zero on our operational emissions and the carbon associated with the oil and gas we take out of the ground.  
  • The world needs more energy, not less.
  • The energy system needs to be transformed, so we are also aiming to grow our renewables and low carbon businesses.
  • Helping us to cut in half the overall carbon intensity of the energy we sell to customers.
  • We are also advocating for net zero polices from governments.
  • And, we’re working to help regions and corporates decarbonize.
  • All of this gives us confidence that our overall strategy is consistent with the Paris goals.

Lastly, John questions whether we’ve moved too soon

Bernard’s answer in brief…

  • It’s not sustainable for a business to be out of step with society.
  • People want energy that’s reliable, affordable and clean.
  • Two-thirds of the planet is now covered by net zero ambitions.
  • And trillions of dollars are to be invested to deliver them.
  • We're absolutely committed to delivering long-term shareholder value while building the bp of tomorrow.
Put your question to Bernard via Instagram or LinkedIn

Be the first to know...

Keep up to date with all the latest developments on our net zero journey by signing up to our monthly newsletter