Today more than ever, global economic prosperity and quality of life depend on supplies of reliable, affordable energy. Developing that energy safely and responsibly is an imperative.
It's an honor to lead Chevron into a future that builds upon a tradition of producing energy in a safe, environmentally sound and socially responsible manner. In this year's Corporate Responsibility Report, our intent is to give you a glimpse of how Chevron employees do so every day.
Integrating corporate responsibility into our business is an important part of how we produce and deliver energy. As a result, we create enduring economic and social value. For example, in 2009, we sanctioned our Gorgon liquefied natural gas project off the northwest coast of Australia. Gorgon is the largest energy project in our history and will integrate environmental, economic and social benefits for our company, our community, and our business and government partners. It's a $37 billion investment that is expected to generate thousands of jobs and produce energy for millions of homes and businesses in Australia, Asia and beyond for the next 40 years.
To reduce Gorgon's carbon emissions, we will include one of the largest CO2-injection projects in the world. At the same time, Gorgon will sustain the environmental integrity of Barrow Island, a Class A nature reserve that has been a model for the coexistence of energy development and biodiversity since Chevron began oil operations there in 1964.
Gorgon is representative of the enduring energy partnerships needed to be successful in the 21st century — partnerships that involve local, national and international stakeholders, both public and private, working together to benefit millions of people. This type of partnership, one of Chevron's fundamental strengths, is a constant theme you'll encounter as you read this report.
Our significant energy investments and on-the-ground partnerships around the world not only help meet the world's longterm demand for energy, but they also help create jobs, support local supply chains, and strengthen economies and communities. We work closely with communities to design and implement strategic community engagement programs to advance health, education and sustainable socioeconomic development. We recognize that our business performance and growth depend on the well-being of the communities where we operate.
Chevron's 2009 accomplishments that advanced our corporate responsibility objectives are covered in this report. Highlights include the following:
- We achieved record safety performance, with fewer workplace injuries than ever before, and we continue to work relentlessly to achieve our target of zero incidents.
- We advanced our three-year, $30 million investment in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We are working with new and existing partners in six countries — Angola, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand — to expand the Global Fund's reach in combating these diseases.
- We continued our engagement on the issue of climate change. In the 2009 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, Chevron ranked first among global companies in the energy sector. We have become more energy efficient in our global business functions, a significant step in reducing our carbon footprint.
- We adopted a new Human Rights Policy, which builds on Chevron's longstanding commitment to respecting human rights. Our new policy will lead to more consistent and rigorous global implementation of our human rights processes in our operations.
As I visit our operations around the world, I am privileged to see firsthand how our employees get results the right way, operating with the highest standards of ethics and integrity. It's a source of pride for all of us, but we know we can never rest. The expectations of our investors, governments and communities — and our own expectations — are high. We are constantly guided by the values expressed in The Chevron Way.
John S. Watson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
May 2010