Biodiversity 

Biodiversity has a great potential as a source of food, medicines and natural resources, but is also of great importance in a spiritual, cultural and esthetical context.

 

Biodiversity is a key component of StatoilHydro's environmental policy. We are committed to developing measures which can ensure a more complete integration in our project development of environmental, social and health issues. Our focus on challenges relating to biodiversity is part of this.

Collaboration and further development

StatoilHydro is an active participant in a Biodiversity Working Group set up by the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP). The group’s goal is to increase awareness about biodiversity in the petroleum industry, and to develop guidelines and tools to preserve biodiversity.

StatoilHydro is a partner in the Proteus programme initiated by the United Nations Environmental Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), which provides relevant and reliable information about biodiversity through a decentralised system of databases. The Proteus programme collaborates with UNEP Grid-Arendal in testing and developing methods for integrated ecosystem administration and involving the local community in Northern Russia.

Today, our environmental monitoring activities have been extended to include more monitoring of deep-water biodiversity in the Norwegian Sea than previously. Among other things, this is has been achieved through our participation in the SERPENT programme whereby equipment used for our subsea installations is also used for mapping and monitoring activities.

Along with several other petroleum companies, we also participate in a major international project designed to increase our knowledge about the effects of noise on sea mammals and other marine organisms.

StatoilHydro is also a member of the steering committee for the so-called SEAPOP (SEAbird POPulations) programme, a sea bird mapping and research programme.

The road ahead

 StatoilHydro plans to carry out a review of the company's operations and activities in order to identify challenges relating to biodiversity in the different business areas, including areas in which StatoilHydro does or could make a positive contribution to conserving biodiversity.