IPIECA has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and

the International Finance Corporation to develop a shared understanding of the implications of

the UN SDGs for the oil and gas industry and how the industry can most effectively
contribute. Their joint report, “Mapping the Oil and Gas Industry to the Sustainable
Development Goals: An Atlas,” was launched at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New
York in July 2017; the UN’s central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Atlas explores the links between the oil and gas industry and the SDGs and seeks to
facilitate a shared understanding of how the industry can most effectively support the
achievement of the SDGs. The oil and gas industry is committed to responsible and sustainable
business, as well as serving as an essential partner to meet the challenge of achieving the SDGs.
The Atlas outlines the typical roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in enhancing
the industry’s contribution to sustainable development. It presents examples of good practice
in the industry, alongside existing knowledge and resources on sustainable development that
could help the industry make useful contributions to the SDGs. The Atlas presents the SDGs
goal by goal, focusing on the contribution the oil and gas industry can make to each goal by
integrating it into core business operations and by identifying opportunities for oil and gas
companies to collaborate with other stakeholders and leverage experiences and resources in
support of the goal. Each chapter also includes case studies of innovative and sustained efforts
by companies, often working collaboratively. The elements of SDGs are :
1. No Poverty
Businesses (including the oil and gas industry) can play an important role, as private sector
investment far exceeds foreign aid in many developing countries. As well as their principle role
supplying reliable and affordable energy, oil and gas companies also contribute social
investments and make substantial tax and other types of revenue payment to host governments.
2. Zero Hunger
Hydrocarbons are used to supply energy for all stages of food production e.g. powering
agricultural machinery, as the raw materials for fertilizers and pesticides, and refrigeration and
food transportation. Hydrocarbons therefore play a critical role in food security by increasing
the productivity of modern agriculture and enabling the distribution of food.
3. Good Health and well being
The health and wellbeing of staff are ever-greater priorities for employers at a time of major
change in the industry. Wireline looks at two distinctive company initiatives that fit the bill.
Programmes being rolled out at BP and Centrica Storage both embrace a theme that the oil and
gas industry is already familiar with – resilience. A psychological wellbeing initiative
instigated by BP across its North Sea operations takes a long-term view of how such support
can not only benefit the individual, but also deliver safe and reliable operations.
And the emphasis is very much on positive thinking. “Too often in the health and safety arena
we’re dealing with the reactive side and as professionals that’s not where we want to be. This
was a great opportunity to put us on the front foot and, by the measures available, it has been
highly successful,” says its health manager Alan Dickson.
At Centrica Storage, its rounded programme encompasses mental and physical health, and has
been shaped to promote long lasting and positive behavioural change.
“Workplace stress and other health-related issues can affect anybody and they need to be
supported correctly,” says its occupational health manager Francis Riley. “We have a social
and clinical responsibility to people: they come to work healthy, and they leave healthy.”
4. Quality education
investing in education and skills-based training in their countries of operation helps oil and gas
companies address difficulties finding the necessary technical, operational and commercial
skill sets required, as well as providing more local value by increasing the potential for direct
and indirect employment of local workers and suppliers.
5. Gender quality
- Worldwide application of maternity standards : Eni - Global
The protection of the right to maternity for women in the workforce represents a fundamental
value for Eni. For this reason, a study was carried out to identify any divergences from the ILO
standard – convention 183 – that governs maternity, or from the laws or corporate policies of
countries in which Eni operates. In light of the results of the study, a procedure was adopted in
2015 to guarantee application of the minimum standards set forth in the ILO convention, i.e.
14 weeks leave from work with two-thirds pay as compensation, to all women employees of
Eni around the world.
6. Clean water and sanitation
The oil and gas industry supports access to and sustainable management of water. The industry
is developing water strategies that protect and restore water-related ecosystems to address
water quantity and quality in and around operations. The industry is protecting the
environment, which may include local water supplies, through effective wastewater
management practices, and containment of unintended leaks or spills.
7. Affordable and clean energy
- Energy access platform : multiple companies – global.
Oil companies, including Total and Shell, have partnered with the OPEC Fund for International
Development, the World Petroleum Council and the International Gas Union on the Oil and Gas
Industry Energy Access Platform (EAP) to support achievement of SDG7. The EAP is intended
to leverage the knowledge, experience and technology of its members to provide a platform for
collaboration on energy access solutions, improved energy efficiency, increased deployment of
renewables and long-term energy policy.
- Supplying affordable, reliable and clean electricity to the Bonny Island Community :
multiple companies – Nigeria.
Nigeria LNG Limited (a joint venture between the government of Nigeria, Shell, Total and
Eni) established the Bonny Utility Company, an independent local company that supplies
affordable, reliable and cleaner electricity to the Bonny Island community. Power generated by
gas turbines at the Nigeria LNG plant and an oil export terminal on the island operated by Shell
Petroleum Development Company is sent to a grid that serves businesses and homes in the
area, benefiting around 93.0 people with energy at affordable prices. Providing access to
electricity has led to economic growth, enhanced security and a safer environment for the
people of Bonny Island.
8. Decent work and economic growth
Sustainable development requires job creation and inclusive economic growth. The oil and gas
industry can make a significant contribution to the overall economic growth of host countries
by generating much higher fiscal revenues, attracting significant foreign direct investment, and
accruing foreign exchange reserves. Employment is a crucial path out of poverty and towards
shared prosperity. The oil and gas industry contributes to local communities, investing in
opportunities for job creation and local business development.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Using solar power to bring energy to off-grid communities : Total-Tanzania and Kenya.
In 2012, only 15.3% of Tanzanians and 23% of Kenyans had access to electricity. Total recently
acquired an interest in two companies that offer solar-powered energy solutions for rural areas
with limited or no access to conventional energy grids. The companies market micro-grid,
home and battery storage systems powered by solar energy. Off Grid Electric powers lights for
10,000 new customers a month in Tanzania and Powerhive launched a project that will see 100
micro grids supply power for 90,000 homes in Kenya.
10. Reduced inequalities
- (improving opportunities by establishing a community investment fund : Repsol –
Bolivia)
Repsol made an agreement of friendship and cooperation with the assembly of the guarani
people of Itika Guasu (APG-IG), which committed Repsol to make financial contributions
towards the development of the APG-IG and the communities it represents through
establishment of a USD $14.8 million investment fund. This is the first investment fund with
an indigenous organisation in Latin America and income obtained will be invested in areas
such as health, education, housing and economic development.
11. Sustainable cities and communities
Greenpoint neighbourhood was seriously harmed by petroleum contamination during the
first half of the 20th century. ExxonMobil has been undertaking a complex decades-long
remediation project in the area, alongside supporting urban development to make greenpoint a
more sustaibale town. The dual-pump recovery system has proven most effective in
remediation efforts, which have also involved water treatment and addressing soil vapour
issues. In addition, community support efforts have included funding and STEM support for
local schools, projects to rehabilitate local parks, adopting greenpoint library, supporting the
local YMCA and providing uniforms and equipment for the Auxiliary Police of the NYPD.
12. Responsible consumption and production
- Researching fuel and vehicle efficiency : Concawe – Europe
Concawe, the oil companies European organisation for environment, health and safety, has
collaborated with the European council for automotive R&D and the European commission’s
joint research centre in the well-to-wheels collaboration since 2000. The well-to-wheels
collaboration has resulted in a productive and reliable cooperation in the field of sustainability
of the European vehicle and oil industry devoted to providing European institutions, EU
member states and sector stakeholders with scientific facts relating to the energy use, efficiency
and emissions from a broad range of road vehicle powertrain and fuel options.
13. Climate action
- Designing for energy efficiency in projects : BP-Oman
BP has designed its Khazzan gas project in Oman to be an inherently low-emission concept. It
has built a central gas processing facility where water and condensate are removed from the gas
produced at all well-sites in order to create market-quality gas. Centralized gas processing takes
away the need for processing equipment at each individual well-site, thereby reducing methane
emissions in gas production. Additionally, the processing facility is powered by the gas BP
produces, providing electricity that powers wellsite equipment.
- Investing in high-grade biofuels : Eni-Italy
Eni has been extending the range of inputs used to make biofuels. In 2014, Eni converted the
Porto Marghera refinery in Venice to produce high-grade biofuels. The project involves the
production of bio-oil from the organic fractioning of municipal solid waste, sewage sludge,
wastewater and other agri-food waste. The refinery is capable of producing 300,000 tonnes of
green diesel per year using refined vegetable oil. In its second phase, the refinery will also be
able to use animal fats, used oil, algae-based oils and certain types of biological waste.
14. Life below water
- Joint industry programme to reduce impact of sound pollution on marine life : multiple
global
Sound pollution from oil and gas operations, particularly seismic exploration, can potentially
have negative physical and behavioural effects on nearby marine life. In 2005, a number of oil
and gas companies formed the joint industry programme (JIP) to support research into this
issue and the development of mitigation tools. Working with NGOs, international experts and
other stakeholders, the JIP has developed the software system PAMGuard, now used around
the world. It detects marine mammals in proximity to seismic operations allowing companies
to halt operations to avoid overexposure.
15. Life on land
- Protecting biodiversity and investing in environmental education : ExxonMobil – Papua
New Guinea
Exxon Mobil has developed an LNG project in Papua New Guinea, including gas production
and processing facilities and 700 km of pipelines. In order to protect the biodiversity of the
areas in which it operates, Exxon Mobil introduced a Biodiversity Programme and, through it,
has developed a protected area for the Kikori River Basin, which will aid the protection of the
threatened pig-nosed turtle. The project also invests in environmental education at the Port
Moresby Nature Park, which has hosted over 6,000 local children to date, in order to raise
awareness of environmental issues.
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
- The voluntary principles on security and human rights : Multiple – global
Collaboration with public security forces can present a range of challenges for companies, but
working with them is frequently necessary. Therefore, governments, NGOs and a number of
oil and gas companies worked together to establish the voluntary principles on security and
human rights in 2000. Numerous international oil and gas companies are signatories to the
principles, which detail good practice for the conduct of risk assessments and interaction with
security forces.
17. Partnerships for the goals
- Extractive industries transparency initiative (EITI) : Multiple – Global
The multi-lateral, multi-stakeholder EITI is a voluntary standard that promotes the transparent
and accountable management of countries revenues from their natural resource wealth. It
provides a platform for host governments, companies and civil society to work together to
facilitate economic growth by improving governance and reducing corruption related to natural
resource revenues. It does this by overseeing and reconciling the payments made by oil and gas
companies to the government, as well as the payments received by the government.

With careful planning and implementation, the oil and gas industry has the opportunity
to contribute across all SDGs, either by enhancing its positive contributions or by avoiding or
mitigating negative impacts. Throughout the Atlas, both baseline imporvements as well as
mitigating steps are contributions to the SDGs. Overall, oil and gas production can foster
economic and social development by providing access to affordable energy, opportunities for
decent employment, business and skills development, increased fiscal revenues, and improved
infrastructure. In recent decades, the industry has made advances in avoiding, mitigating and
managing such impacts and risks and the Atlas points to such good practices and examples.

References :
https://www.ipieca.org/our-work/sustainable-development-goals/
Mapping The Oil and Gas Industry to The Sustainable Development Goals : An ATLAS
Rick Mire, ExxonMobil retired; Sophie Depraz, Becci Collacott, and Amy Collins, IPIECA.
Sustainable Development Goals Atlas. SPE-190550-MS