BP provides energy for heat, electricity, fuel, retail services and petrochemical products. With an annual turnover of $361 billion (2008). BP is one of the world’s largest energy providers and employs over 92,000 people.

BP - Local Energy Provider

The company has a fundamental belief that it can make a difference in the world and tries to be the “local energy company” wherever it operates. BP recognises the world’s growing need for energy and wishes to produce it affordably with minimum impact on the planet, without damaging the environment.

New BP projects are planned to incorporate benefits to the local community, making its arrival into new societies positive and frequently earning it the role of local energy provider on a global scale.

"We are committed to the safety and development of our people and the communities and societies in which we operate. We aim for no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment."

BP and Climate Change

BP recognises the importance of climate change and its responsibility to act with consideration of the problem wherever possible. The BP environmental policy welcomes changing laws and firm actions to ensure environmental standards are met by all.

BP implements a strict environmental management system. This ensures that all projects and operations are designed and conducted in accordance with legal and internal environmental standards.

BP demonstrates initiative in the incorporation of environmental action into its practices. Its environmental strategy was revised in 2008, strengthening the company's focus on key environmental issues and compliance with all relevant laws. All new projects are carefully screened for the risk of permanent environmental consequences.

Emissions Assessments

Operational emissions are managed through careful assessment and calculation before each new BP project. Consideration of each operation’s likely GHG performance enables the most efficient environmental methods to be applied to each case.

BP reports regularly and with transparency on its waste emissions. Emission performance reports are published and summarized every five years, and relevant emissions information is also available to those working on sites to help reduce levels where possible.

BP Decommissioning

“Wherever BP operates or has operated in the past, we aim to leave a positive legacy and ensure that these sites can have a productive future use.”

Efforts are made to restore former BP sites to the best condition possible, enabling them to be reused in some cases. A team of BP decommissioning and remediation experts works to minimize the effects of BP on each site and its aim is to reduce BP’s environmental influence to the lowest level possible.

Offshore decommissioning is conducted with consideration for the environment. BP aims to recycle up to 97% of decommissioned materials, with around 20,000 tonnes of recycled metal resulting from one site alone in 2008.

BP Environmental Technology

“Research and development of new technology helps us find ways to reduce the environmental impact of providing energy.”

BP's Exploration and Production programme supports research into environmental technologies and methods. For example, one project currently aided by BP examines alternative technologies for the treatment of wastewater after refining. 

The BP website offers a collection of environmental tools, including an environmental mapping tool and carbon footprint calculator. These free tools give the public an insight into BP’s own performance and also enable individuals to assess their own carbon footprint and lifestyle.

The BP carbon footprint calculator considers the user’s energy efficiency in the home, through transport and day-to-day habits before presenting them with a carbon footprint result and a comparison with the national average.

The company donates funds to relevant universities and bodies, giving young academics a unique understanding and awareness of the reality of environmental concerns.

“There could be no better place than Antarctica for an open exploration of the issues facing our planet and the actions that could shape its future.”

In March 2009 BP sponsored a student expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula as part of its ongoing investment into environmental education and research opportunities.