Human rights risk assessments 

To deliver on our human rights commitments we have since 2006 been conducting a broad review of the international human rights frameworks and its implications for our guidelines and practices (the Human Rights Concretization Project).    

During the first stage of this project, StatoilHydro conducted a review of international human rights instruments with a view to better understand their potential implications for our operations and business. The analysis was then compared with existing provisions in our governing documents
and risk management procedures.

The second stage

During the second stage of this project we have begun piloting Human Rights Risk Assessments (HRAs) in selected host countries to identify and minimize areas where StatoilHydro may potentially be at risk of contributing to human rights violations, whether directly or indirectly.

The HRAs consist of three analytical steps: firstly, to review the context and potential human rights risks at the country level; secondly, assess the potential human rights risks of StatoilHydro investments and operations; and thirdly, identify and propose mitigation activities.

to identify and minimize areas where StatoilHydro may potentially be at risk of contributing to human rights violations, whether directly or indirectly. The HRAs consist of three analytical steps: firstly, to review the context and potential human rights risks at the country level; secondly, assess the potential human rights risks of StatoilHydro investments and operations; and thirdly, identify and propose mitigation activities.

The HRAs that have been conducted so far suggest that human rights are on the whole well protected both by our own corporate policies and procedures and by our operations.

Nevertheless, improvements in the way we conduct our business can be made and have been identified. Drawing on the recommendations from the pilot HRAs, StatoilHydro is working to mainstream the procedures for human rights risk management, compliance and mitigation both at the country and corporate level.

Next steps for the project are:

• Expand the HRA pilots to additional host countries
• Consider further revisions to our governing documents
• Further development of internal control and management systems
• Develop a human rights training programme for our employees, with a separate training module for suppliers and sub-contractors
• Further consultation with relevant stakeholders and international initiatives on lessons-learned, methods and findings

StatoilHydro has consulted extensively in this process with other partners of the Business Leaders’ Initiative on Human Rights, as well as with the UN special representative on business and human rights, John Ruggie.