Energy is essential to human progress—it creates jobs, fuels innovation and powers virtually every element of the global economy. Providing that energy safely, reliably and economically is a great responsibility that we take seriously. We are proud that 2010 was the safest year in our company's history, giving us one of the best records for safety in our industry.
Over the past few decades, our industry has changed dramatically. New technology and advanced skills have combined to unlock new production and growth in geologic areas once beyond our reach.
One of these frontiers, deepwater production, experienced a tragedy in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, resulting in loss of precious life. It also took a toll on the economy and the ecology of the Gulf Coast. Following the BP Macondo incident, Chevron led the joint-industry task force to raise even higher standards for deepwater operations across the industry. The incident reinforced our own safety imperative to reach our goal of zero incidents wherever we operate. Toward that goal, all of our projects are guided by our strong safety culture. We leave nothing to chance because we have a deep, personal stake in operating safely—to sustain the public's trust in our operations, to bring our employees safely home and to deliver value to those who invest in us. Our success rests on a culture true to our Chevron Way values—getting results the right way.
Corporate responsibility at Chevron begins with safe operations, but it doesn't end there.
We recognize that business success is deeply linked to society's progress. Our investments in communities—developed in partnership with those communities—also are investments in the long-term success of our company. This approach delivers mutual benefit and shared progress. In 2010, we invested $197 million in our communities, more than twice the amount we invested in 2006.
We make community investments in the three areas that we believe are the foundation of working societies the world over—health, education and economic development. Our investments in health focus on training, testing and treatment for such diseases as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which are critical economic and public health challenges in some of our largest operating areas.
Business and community partnerships that emphasize economic progress can help set countries on a better course. One such investment is the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative, launched in 2010—an innovative, multipartner effort to promote economic development, conflict resolution and capacity building. Our initial commitment is $50 million.
Our investments in education can strengthen communities. As part of our California Partnership Initiative, for example, we've teamed up with leading educational nonprofits to create opportunities in critical STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and math—for underserved students. In 2010, we reached more than 245,000 students and 3,900 teachers in California.
Through multistakeholder collaboration, such as the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, we are promoting respect for global human rights. To emphasize the importance of our own commitment, in 2010 we developed plans and provided resources to implement our global Human Rights Policy.
As you'll read in this report, our community investments have increased, our partnerships are stronger and our impact is greater. These successes demonstrate shared progress for business and communities.
John S. Watson
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
May 2011