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Background: Preserving a Critical Natural Resource
Approach: Integrating Biodiversity Considerations into Operations
Performance: Demonstrating Biodiversity Conservation Around the World
Future Goals: Establishing a More Systematic Approach
Background: Preserving a Critical Natural Resource
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| A Bee Orchid grows near our operations in Wales. The petals of the flower resemble bees trying to get the pollen, thus attracting real bees. |
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Biodiversity refers to the entire variety of life on earth. It encompasses genes, species and ecosystems, and the processes that support them. Biodiversity supports human life on the planet and, in addition to its intrinsic value, provides essential services and products we all depend on, including food, clothing, shelter, fuel and medicines. In recent years, there has been growing recognition that preservation of biodiversity is not only an environmental issue, but also one with important social and economic implications. The public has become increasingly concerned about the loss of biodiversity in key regions of the world and the role industry has played in that loss.
Energy companies such as ChevronTexaco can affect biodiversity in a variety of ways, ranging from direct or primary impacts such as land clearance, to indirect or secondary impacts, like road building, which can invite population migration into remote, environmentally sensitive areas, as well as introduce nonnative invasive species through movement of equipment and materials.
Approach: Integrating Biodiversity Considerations into Operations
ChevronTexaco is participating in the Energy & Biodiversity Initiative (EBI), a collaboration started in 2001 among industry and international environmental conservation organizations working to integrate biodiversity conservation into oil and gas exploration and development. EBI participants include ChevronTexaco, BP, Shell and Statoil, together with Conservation International, Fauna and Flora International, The Smithsonian Institution, The Nature Conservancy and the World Conservation Union.
We also continue to expand our knowledge of how to address biodiversity issues in our operations through our participation in the joint Biodiversity Working Group of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP). We are also members of the joint effort between OGP and the International Association of Geophysical Contractors to address effects of oil and gas exploration and production noise on the marine environment, as well as OGP's project to develop guidelines for conducting environmental baseline surveys in deep water.
To help protect sensitive areas around our operations, several ChevronTexaco business units have created a set of Habitat Management Guidelines. These guidelines, which were developed in cooperation with technical experts and are supplemented with training for employees, provide business units with information and tools to prevent damage to local habitats and provide guidance on land restoration when impacts do occur.
Performance: Demonstrating Biodiversity Conservation Around the World
ChevronTexaco has a number of specific programs to address biodiversity conservation, particularly where we operate in areas of high biodiversity value or sensitivity. For example:
- In Papua New Guinea's biologically diverse Southern Highlands Province, ChevronTexaco's operations have been cited as a model for compatibly operating in diverse ecosystems.
- On Barrow Island, a Class A Nature Reserve off the west coast of Australia, and in parts of California's San Joaquin Valley, the company protects endangered species and their habitats as part of its exploration and production operations. The Barrow Island operation has received numerous awards in the past two years, including recognition from the Institute of Petroleum, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association and World Oil.
- Several ChevronTexaco refineries engage in voluntary biodiversity conservation projects, including conversion of wastewater treatment ponds into aquatic habitat in Richmond, California; habitat enhancement for endangered El Segundo Blue butterflies in Southern California; and incorporation of wildlife habitat into refinery remediation plans at Cincinnati, Ohio.
- ChevronTexaco also funds related research: In Angola and the Gulf of Mexico, the company supports research and monitoring of whales and dolphins; in coastal Panama, the company supports research in mangrove and coral reef ecosystems.
Future Goals: Establishing a More Systematic Approach
Over the past several years, our understanding of biodiversity conservation concerns has expanded. As a result, we have identified the opportunity to more systematically manage the issue by better integrating it into our Operational Excellence Management System. In 2003, ChevronTexaco's international exploration and production company is beginning to evaluate the work products from the Energy & Biodiversity Initiative. This includes identification of priorities and opportunities to test and adapt EBI products for use in our operations. We also are initiating efforts to promote more awareness of biodiversity conservation in our company, defining the extent of our operations in or near legally protected and biodiversity sensitive areas, understanding the implications of the Convention on Biological Diversity and promoting industry use of the EBI products. |
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Pembroke Refinery's biodiversity plan protects endangered skylark and native species.
Read full case study.
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