Accelerating action

An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector

April 2021

Advancing environmental
and social performance
across oil and gas

www.ipieca.org
Cautionary statement
This document contains certain forward-looking statements – that is, statements related
to future, not past events and circumstances – which may relate to the aspirations,
ambitions, aims, targets, plans and objectives of IPIECA and/or its member companies – as
well as statements related to the potential future energy mix. Forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances
that will or may occur in the future and are outside of the control of IPIECA and/or its
member companies. Actual results or outcomes may differ from those expressed in such
statements, depending on a variety of factors. IPIECA does not undertake to publicly
update or revise these forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes
make it clear that the projected performance, conditions or events expressed or implied
therein will not be realised.
The impact pathways in this Roadmap are subject to and in accordance with any
applicable laws, regulations or restrictions around competition or anti-trust law.
Furthermore where referred to the IPIECA-API-IOGP Sustainability reporting guidance its
legal note on page 2 shall apply accordingly. The guidance contained in this document,
including the impact pathways, is not intended to be prescriptive and it is recognised that
the suggested actions are non-binding and voluntary.
This publication has been developed to support the implementation of IPIECA’s mission
and vision. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information,
it is intended to provide general guidance only. It is not designed to provide legal or other
advice, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for appropriate technical expertise or
professional advice. All attempts have been made to ensure that the information is correct
at the date of publication. This publication does not constitute a mandatory commitment
which members of IPIECA are obliged to adopt. The views and conclusions expressed herein
do not necessarily reflect the views of all IPIECA members or the individuals, companies and
institutions that contributed to this publication.
While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure that the information contained
in this publication is accurate and timely, this publication is distributed without warranty
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©IPIECA 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of IPIECA.
The following photographs have been reproduced courtesy of bp: second-from-top on
page 17 and bottom-right on page 31.
Contents

Forewords 2

Executive summary 4

1. The oil and gas sector and the SDGs 6

1.1 Introduction 7
1.2 The role of the oil and gas sector 8
1.3 Scope of the Roadmap 10

2. Roadmap development 12
2.1 Approach to building the Roadmap 13

3. Impact opportunities 15
3.1 Climate 18
3.2 Nature 22
3.3 People 26

4. The road to 2030 32

4.1 Implementation 33

Resources 35

Acronyms and abbreviations 37

Acknowledgements 37
IPIECA foreword

As we rapidly approach the 2030 deadline to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
the need for concerted action and coordinated solutions involving all parts of society is more urgent
than ever.

The oil and gas industry is an build resilience during the energy The development of the
essential partner in achieving transition, attract and retain top Roadmap took place during the
the ambitions at the core of the talent, manage regulatory and unprecedented health and social
SDGs. It can provide the affordable reputational risks, and present new disruption caused by the COVID-19
and reliable energy essential for market opportunities and access to pandemic. And while the crisis has
economic growth, employment, sustainable finance. taken its toll on the realisation of the
education, eradication of poverty SDGs, we now have the opportunity
While the oil and gas industry
and global health. to place climate, nature and people
contributes to all 17 SDGs, the
at the heart of our recovery and
However, there are also Roadmap highlights 10 SDGs where
reaffirm our collective commitment
sustainability challenges facing the the industry can have the biggest
to achieving the SDGs.
sector. While supporting a growing impact, by driving innovations
global population’s demand for in its own operations and across The crisis has also created a real
energy, the industry must continue the supply chain. These 10 SDGs sense of shared responsibility for
to scale-up its climate change underpin 8 impact pathways, in 3 building a brighter future and shown
action, curbing emissions from interconnected systemic themes of the importance of collaboration
global energy production and use, climate, nature and people. across communities, sectors
and continue to play its part in a and nations to tackling shared
As well as offering the sector
world aspiring to net-zero emissions. challenges. The Roadmap calls for
direction on the SDGs, the
that same spirit of collaboration
In response to the critical need Roadmap also identifies where to
across the oil and gas industry and
for action, and recognising the focus collaboration and provides
beyond as we come together to
industry’s huge potential to support a platform to form industry and
establish a shared pathway to 2030.
the SDGs, IPIECA has joined forces cross sector partnerships to further
with WBCSD to produce An SDG accelerate SDG action.
Roadmap for the oil and gas sector.
Our work on the Roadmap is just
Building on the IPIECA-UNDP-IFC part of IPIECA’s leadership on
Mapping the oil and gas industry climate action, environmental
Brian Sullivan
to the Sustainable Development responsibility, social performance
Executive Director, IPIECA
Goals: An Atlas, and the SDG Sector and mainstreaming sustainability.
Roadmap Guidelines developed Our 2021-2024 strategy supports
by WBCSD in 2018, the Roadmap our members’ contributions to the
outlines short, medium and long- energy transition and sustainable
term actions – mapped against SDG development through four action
targets – which go beyond business orientated thematic strategies:
as usual and aim to catalyse the climate, nature, people and
realisation of the goals. sustainability. This framework,
combined with our global
Integrating the SDGs into core
membership covering the full oil
business activities will not only
and gas value chain, will enable the
generate significant contributions to
implementation of the Roadmap
the SDGs, it can also help companies
across the industry.

2 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
WBCSD foreword
The world is facing unprecedented global challenges in the form of a climate emergency, nature
loss and mounting inequality. These challenges are also playing out against the backdrop of a
devastating global pandemic that has delivered the whole world a stark reminder of how vulnerable
our society is to systemic risk.

In order to successfully tackle gas emissions from the energy collective potential to advance the
these challenges and realise the system are consistent with limiting ambitions of the SDGs. We hope
prosperity for people and planet global warming to 1.5°C, will call for that this important new roadmap
that the Sustainable Development an unprecedented transformation can help to establish a standard for
Goals call for, business, government of the oil and gas sector over the global best practice with regard to
and civil society must work together course of the next decade. how the oil and gas sector and its
to change the systems that have value chain can contribute towards
The sector faces important and
created the challenges we now face achieving this critical global agenda
difficult decisions. Inevitably,
– and change them so profoundly on the road to 2030.
fossil fuel production will need to
that we can legitimately call it
decrease, and business models will While the COVID-19 pandemic has
transformation.
have to evolve. severely disrupted global efforts
In March 2021, the World towards achieving the SDGs, it
A number of companies from
Business Council for Sustainable has also created an opportunity
the sector, including members
Development (WBCSD), launched to drive and accelerate change at
of both IPIECA and WBCSD, are
Vision 2050: Time to Transform, a completely different pace than
already embarking upon ambitious
a framework for business action we may have previously imagined
strategies to fundamentally
in line with the urgency of the possible.
transform their business activities.
challenges that we face. At the
Ultimately, however, realising the At this critical and challenging
heart of this piece of work are nine
SDGs will require widespread action juncture, we must place the SDGs
transformation pathways covering
across the entire sector. at the forefront of our thinking as
the areas of business activity that
we plan long-term response and
are essential to society and around Against this backdrop, WBCSD is
recovery.
which business must focus its efforts pleased to have had the opportunity
to unleash widespread, positive and to work with IPIECA around the
urgent change. development of this SDG sector
roadmap. With its unique global
One of these pathways focuses
reach that encompasses private
specifically on energy, envisioning Peter Bakker
and state-owned enterprises as
a sustainable energy system President & CEO, WBCSD
well as a range of global industry
providing reliable and affordable
associations, and its long history
net-zero energy for all by 2050.
of bringing the oil and gas industry
The oil and gas sector has a critical
together to develop and share good
role to play in helping to realise
practices to address environmental
this vision, and indeed the broader
and social challenges, IPIECA is
ambitions of the SDGs.
uniquely positioned to inspire and
Achieving a world in which all guide the sector through the critical
individuals and communities transitions that lie ahead.
have access to the reliable and
WBCSD’s SDG Sector Roadmap
affordable energy they need to
framework, upon which this report is
live well, while simultaneously
based, supports entire industries to
ensuring that global greenhouse
explore, articulate and realise their

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 3
Executive summary

Purpose its contributions to the Sustainable Approach

Development Goals (SDGs). These
Accelerating action: An SDG The Roadmap follows the three-
impact opportunities involve scaling
Roadmap for the oil and gas step framework described in
up good practices in environmental
sector (Roadmap) is an initiative WBCSD’s SDG Sector Roadmap
and social performance and building
led by IPIECA, the global oil and Guidelines2. IPIECA members
on innovative partnerships, while
gas industry association for convened via a series of ‘in-person’
recognising the importance of the
advancing environmental and social and virtual workshops to:
energy transition in realising the
performance, in collaboration with world’s ambition to achieve net-zero • Map the oil and gas sector’s
the World Business Council for emissions under the Paris Agreement. current level of SDG impact
Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
The Roadmap includes actions for in its operations and supply
The Roadmap identifies how IPIECA, IPIECA as well as suggestions for chain, and identify priority
as an industry association, and action for companies within the SDGs for the sector.
oil and gas companies working sector to help guide, inform and • Identify impact opportunities
within the sector, can work towards influence decision-making within for IPIECA and the sector to
a low-emissions future while their businesses. contribute to the SDGs and
contributing to a healthier and
It is hoped that the Roadmap will develop actions which can
more prosperous world aligned with
be used to inspire collaboration be adopted to realise these
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
within the industry, convening opportunities.
Development. The Roadmap builds
on the foundations of the 2017 the sector to help realise the • Develop a call to action for
IPIECA-UNDP-IFC Mapping the oil ambitions of the SDGs and the IPIECA, sector companies
and gas industry to the Sustainable Paris Agreement. and stakeholders to catalyse
Development Goals: An Atlas (the IPIECA also hopes that the Roadmap their impact on the SDGs
Atlas)1, by presenting a series of will foster collaboration throughout through engagement with,
impact opportunities which focus the supply chain and stimulate and implementation of, the
on where the sector can maximise cooperation to amplify SDG impact. Roadmap.

Priority SDGs
Although the oil and gas
sector has the potential to
advance all 17 goals either
directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of this Roadmap
10 SDGs were identified
as priority areas where the
sector has the most influence or ability to respond to societal needs by driving innovation and impact in its own
operations and across the value chain. SDG 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’ was identified as a cross-cutting goal
essential to all impact opportunities.

1 IPIECA, IFC, UNDP, 2017. Mapping the oil and gas industry to the Sustainable Development Goals: An atlas. https://www.ipieca.org/resources/
awareness-briefing/mapping-the-oil-and-gas-industry-to-the-sustainable-development-goals-an-atlas/
2 World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2018. SDG Sector Roadmaps. https://www.wbcsd.org/Programs/People/Sustainable-
Development-Goals/SDG-Sector-Roadmaps/Resources/SDG-Sector-Roadmaps

4 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Executive summary

Impact opportunities Implementation

The Roadmap outlines eight impact opportunities which highlight where IPIECA will ensure a broad roll-out
IPIECA and the sector can accelerate action and drive impact on the of the Roadmap, which will be used
priority SDGs that it identifies. These impact opportunities are grouped into in the following ways:
three themes: climate, nature and people. The Roadmap then identifies
• IPIECA new strategy and annual
corresponding impact pathways to realise these opportunities, comprising
business planning activities will
a series of specific short, medium and long-term potential actions for both
embed key Roadmap actions
IPIECA and individual companies. Applicability of the suggested actions in
and will function as a vehicle
the Roadmap to any particular company will be dependent on a range of
for delivery.
variables such as company size, business models, operating regions, public
policies and other factors specific to the particular company. • Companies within the oil
and gas sector may use the
The following table summarises the eight impact opportunities.
Roadmap as inspiration for
Theme Impact opportunity SDG-led strategies, activities and
collaborations. Multi-stakeholder
CLIMATE 1 Policy and partnerships | Promote effective dialogue is required for the
policies and partnerships that support innovation successful implementation
and deployment of technologies and activities of this Roadmap, as many
needed to transform the energy system and build challenges addressed go
climate resilience beyond the capacity of an
individual company.
2 Innovation | Invest in technology and innovation
that will enable low-carbon energy products and • Supply chain actors and
solutions other stakeholders can use
the Roadmap to understand
3 Operations | Advance emissions reduction possibilities for collaboration
initiatives for own operations in support of the aims to maximise SDG impacts and
of the Paris Agreement strengthen dialogue with IPIECA
NATURE and oil and gas companies.
4 Resources management | Responsibly manage
resources to support a circular economy IPIECA will monitor emerging
trends which may influence
5 Biodiversity, land and water stewardship | priorities outlined in the Roadmap.
Conserve, restore and promote biodiversity and IPIECA will also share informative
ecosystems services case studies on its website
to demonstrate and share
PEOPLE 6 Governance and transparency | Support information as to how IPIECA, its
governments in achieving the SDGs by aligning
members and others are using the
priorities and accelerating action
Roadmap and contributing to the
7 Communities | Foster individual and community SDGs: www.ipieca.org.
prosperity around own activities, including
advancing sustainable development, livelihoods,
good health and well-being

8 Thriving workforce | Provide productive

employment, championing worker health, safety
and well-being across the supply chain

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 5
1.
The oil and
gas sector
and the SDGs
 Section 1
The oil and gas sector and the SDGs

1.1 Introduction

The UN Sustainable Development Progress has been made in a number The UN has declared 2020-2030
Goals (SDGs) provide an ambitious, of areas as many countries have as the ‘Decade of Action’ to deliver
transformative and global started to incorporate the SDGs into on the SDG agenda. The decade
framework to achieve a more national plans and strategies. ahead will indeed by critical.
sustainable future for all, by 2030.
However, even prior to the COVID-19 The SDGs provide a ready-made
Adopted by all 193 UN Member
pandemic there was broad global framework to recover from
States in 2015, the SDGs present the
recognition that the world is not the pandemic and to build back
private sector with a tremendous
challenge, and opportunity, to on track to achieve the SDGs by better in light of the significant
progress these shared global goals. 2030. The UN’s Global Sustainable challenge that still lies ahead if
Development Report, The Future is the SDGs are to be achieved by
The scale of this opportunity Now, states that despite initial efforts,
is outlined in the Business and 2030. Accelerating action: An
countries are still far off achieving
Sustainable Development SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas
most of the 169 SDG targets.4
Commission’s Better Business, Better sector (Roadmap), developed
The report highlights that recent
World report, which estimates that at trends across the 2030 Agenda are in collaboration with the World
least US$12 trillion per year in market not moving in the right direction, Business Council for Sustainable
opportunities could be realised by evidenced by rising inequalities, Development (WBCSD), identifies
developing products, services and how both IPIECA and oil and gas
climate change, biodiversity loss and
solutions that help to meet societal
increasing amounts of waste from companies can work towards
needs.3 The report also recommends
human activity. a low-emissions future while
that key stakeholders in all sectors
will benefit from developing detailed The pandemic has disrupted progress contributing to a healthier, more
‘roadmaps’ to guide their sector’s on nearly all of the SDGs, in many prosperous world in line with the
shift to sustainable development in cases reversing progress on Goals that 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
line with the SDGs. were already not on track. Development.

BOX 1 ABOUT IPIECA

IPIECA is the global oil and gas industry association for advancing environmental and social performance. IPIECA’s
new vision moves beyond the goal of advancing performance to also support the sector’s contribution to the
energy transition in the context of sustainable development. It convenes a significant portion of the oil and gas
value chain and brings together the expertise of members and stakeholders to provide leadership for the industry
on advancing climate action, environmental responsibility, social performance and mainstreaming sustainability.
IPIECA membership includes 725 international and national companies and associations. It is the only global
association involving both the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry. IPIECA is the industry’s principal
channel of engagement with the UN.
www.ipieca.org

3 Business and Sustainable Development Commission, 2017. Better Business, Better World. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/
documents/2399BetterBusinessBetterWorld.pdf
4 The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals
5 As of March 2021

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 7
Section 1
The oil and gas sector and the SDGs

1.2 The role of the oil and gas sector

The sector has a fundamental role Sustainable energy has

to play in transforming the energy
been described by UN
system, which will also support other
sectors to reduce emissions. Oil and Deputy Secretary‑General
gas currently provide nearly 55 % Amina Mohammed as the
of the world’s energy supply6 and as ‘golden thread’ that links
the world’s population continues to
most of the SDGs and the
grow, rising prosperity will increase
energy demand, particularly in 2030 Agenda pledge to
developing countries. Access to leave no one behind.9
affordable, reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all is essential
for economic growth, employment, lift billions out of poverty – but
education, poverty reduction and progress must be made in a way
global health. which supports the aims of the Paris
Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. By
The oil and gas sector is a global
leveraging its global footprint, deep
US$3.2 trillion industry7, contributing
substantial tax and other types technical resources and diverse skills,
of revenue to governments and the oil and gas sector can make a
directly employing over 4.5 million significant contribution to the SDGs.
people8. The fuels, products and IPIECA members have a proven track
services provided by the sector record of managing the impacts
underpin everyday modern society of their operations by emphasising
by powering industry, generating
environmental protection, health
energy for heat and electricity, and
and safety, and human rights.
producing fuel for transport. Refined
Many companies have committed
oil is also used to manufacture
products, materials and chemicals, significant resources and efforts to
including plastics, medical advancing sustainable development
equipment, clothing and personal as a matter of business practice
care products. The sector develops and are also introducing standards
advanced technologies and products and practices that, in some
through investment in research and locations, go well beyond regulatory
development and encourages local requirements. IPIECA has been
content and entrepreneurship with supporting the industry to advance
associated capacity building benefits. the sector’s environmental and
The energy, products and services social performance since its
that are needed to enable establishment in 1974 (see IPIECA
sustainable lifestyles can help milestones, page 9).

6 Energy Institute. Oil and gas. https://www.energyinst.org/exploring-energy/topic/oil-and-gas

7 IBIS World, 2021. Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production. https://www.ibisworld.com/global/market-size/global-oil-gas-exploration-production/
8 IBIS World, 2021. Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Industry - Market Research Report. https://www.ibisworld.com/global/market-research-
reports/global-oil-gas-exploration-production-industry/
9 UN, 2018. Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/dsgsm1202.doc.htm

8 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 1
The oil and gas sector and the SDGs

2021 Alternative energy

4-year-strategy for IPIECA including new vision recognising IPIECA’s
2021 role in the energy transition and sustainable development.
IPIECA MILESTONES
2019 IPIECA celebrates 45th anniversary.

2018 Environment Launch of the IPIECA-UNDP-IFC Mapping

2017 the oil and gas industry to the Sustainable
Development Goals: An Atlas.

Release of the IPIECA awareness brief Exploring

2016 low-emissions pathways: Advancing the Paris Puzzle.
2016 Sustainable
Development Goals
Launch of the IPIECA Business and Human Rights
2011 Project and the Implementation Guidance Tools for the
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.

2010 Supply chain In the aftermath of the Macondo incident, IPIECA-IOGP establish
the Oil Spill Response Joint Industry Project, producing 24 good
2010 practice guides and 12 technical documents on improving
2009 Communications strategies, preparedness and more effective response.

2008 Human rights

2008 Water
The first edition of the Oil and gas
2005 industry guidance on voluntary
sustainability reporting is published.

2003 Reporting
IPIECA-IOGP launch World Summit on Sustainable
2002 Development (WSSD) report for UNEP.
2002 Social responsibility

2002 Biodiversity and

ecosystem services IPIECA joins the UNEP PCFV which
succeeded in enabling sub-Saharan
2002 African countries to phase out leaded
gasoline by December 2005.
2001 Health

2001 Fuels and products

IPIECA participates in the inaugural Conference of the Parties (COP)
1995 to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in
Berlin, Germany. IPIECA has been engaged in climate COPs ever since.

IPIECA attends the first COP to the Convention on

1994 Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nassau, Bahamas.

1991 First of seven IMO-IPIECA oil spill seminars takes place in Indonesia.

IPIECA-IMO cooperation begins following

the International Convention on Oil
1990 Pollution Preparedness, Response and
Co-operation, leading to the IPIECA-IMO GI
1988 Climate change partnership in 1996.

1987 Oil spill

IPIECA is a key contributor to UNEP-convened
seminar Petroleum Industry and Environment,
1977 with over 200 participants from governments,
FORMATION OF IPIECA
the UN and international organizations.
MEMBER-LED GROUPS
1974 Foundation of IPIECA at the request of UNEP.

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 9
Section 1
The oil and gas sector and the SDGs

1.3 Scope of the Roadmap

The oil and gas sector includes activities, as these have been the United Nations Development
a range of companies that addressed in separate Roadmaps or Programme (UNDP) and the
fall into four main groups and Atlases. We encourage the sector to International Finance Corporation
are summarised in Box 2. This build on cross-sector synergies. (IFC). Its aim was to facilitate
Roadmap is focused on core There are a variety of actions in dialogue and greater awareness
oil and gas activities including this Roadmap, and the applicability of the ways in which oil and
exploration and production to any particular company will be gas companies can work both
(E&P), storage, transport and dependent on a several factors independently and collaboratively
distribution, refining and such as company size, business with governments, communities,
processing, and sales and models, operating regions and civil society and other partners, to
marketing, as shown in Figure 1. public policies. help achieve the SDGs.
While this Roadmap recognises An overview of how the oil and gas
the need for the sector to help sector interacts and contributes BOX 2 4 KEY TYPES OF OIL
drive investment into renewable to all 17 SDGs was outlined in AND GAS COMPANIES
energy and low-carbon solutions, the report Mapping the oil and
the scaling of these solutions is not Majors
gas industry to the Sustainable
the report’s principle focus. This Development Goals: An Atlas (the Also known as international oil
Roadmap does not cover chemical, companies (IOCs) or integrated
Atlas)10. The Atlas was developed in
energy companies (IECs), these
electric utility or renewable energy 2017 by IPIECA in partnership with
are the largest integrated
companies with global activities
FIGURE 1 Oil and gas sector value chain spanning the oil and gas
Alternative energy Alternative energy
value chain, and an economic
Carbon capture & storage
and hydrogen
used in operations
capacity to influence industry
EXPLORATION practices and policy.
H₂
AND PRODUCTION
National oil companies (NOCs)
Upstream
Supporting a
low-emissions CO₂ Refers to the exploration and production (E&P) of crude oil and Fully or majority-owned by
future
natural gas, both offshore and onshore. ‘Exploration’ involves
geological surveying and data collection to identify areas rich in
national governments, NOCs
• Alternative energy generation
(e.g. wind, solar)
crude oil and natural gas reserves, whilst ‘production’ pertains to
the drilling and extraction of sub-surface resources.
account for well over half of
• Investments in low-carbon
solutions (e.g. CCS, hydrogen) global production and an even
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT, larger share of reserves.
AND DISTRIBUTION

Independents
Midstream Non-integrated companies
Relating to the transportation and storing of extracted crude oil focusing primarily on E&P or
and natural gas, involving infrastructure such as pipelines, tankers
and pumping stations. the downstream segment of
the industry.
SALES AND REFINING AND PROCESSING
MARKETING
Services companies and
contractors
Companies and contractors that
Downstream provide services, equipment and
Processes involved in refining, distributing and marketing final oil
and gas products to the end consumer, most commonly in the technical expertise.
form of petroleum, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas.

10 IPIECA, IFC, UNDP, 2017. Mapping the oil and gas industry to the Sustainable Development Goals: An atlas. https://www.ipieca.org/resources/
awareness-briefing/mapping-the-oil-and-gas-industry-to-the-sustainable-development-goals-an-atlas/

10 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 1
The oil and gas sector and the SDGs

FIGURE 2 Summary of key action

areas outlined in the 2017 SDG Atlas

A summary of key action

areas outlined in the SDG Atlas
is indicated in Figure 2 and
highlights are provided in Box 3.
The SDGs are more important than
ever before. This Roadmap builds
on the foundations laid in the
2017 Atlas by developing tangible
actions where both IPIECA and the
sector can accelerate and scale
SDG contribution.

BOX 3 KEY MESSAGES FROM THE 2017 SDG ATLAS

• The SDGs are interlinked and indivisible, requiring approaches that support synergies and manage trade-offs
between economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability.
• Meeting the SDGs will require cooperation and collaboration between governments, the private sector and
civil society. Success will require coordinated solutions and business strategies from all parties.
• The oil and gas industry has the potential to contribute to all 17 SDGs, by enhancing its positive contributions
or by avoiding or mitigating negative impacts.
• Oil and gas are key pillars of the global energy system and as such are drivers of economic and social
development.
• The industry contributes to sustainable development in several ways, including: generating direct and indirect
jobs; enabling development of advanced technologies and products through investment in research and
development; building critical infrastructure; contributing tax and other types of revenue to governments; and
encouraging local content and entrepreneurship with associated capacity building benefits.
• Some of the goals present specific challenges for the industry, notably SDG 13 on climate action. Meeting
the aims of the Paris Agreement implies a transformation of the energy system, to ensure access to
affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, while moving towards a global energy system with
net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the second half of this century. The global challenge is to
ensure access to energy, while moving towards net-zero emissions. Enhanced access to affordable, reliable
energy is essential for the growth of strong economies, sustained improvements in the quality of life and the
eradication of poverty.
• The oil and gas industry must be a key part of the solution to address climate change and has the
opportunity to contribute to the energy transition through a number of action areas. Throughout this
transition, oil and gas will continue to be an important part of the broad energy mix needed to deliver
modern energy products and services.

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 11
2.
Roadmap
development
 Section 2
Roadmap development

2.1 Approach to building the Roadmap

The three-step process FIGURE 3 Roadmap development process

set out in WBCSD’s
ESTABLISH IDENTIFY KEY IMPACT
SDG Sector Roadmap CURRENT POSITION 1 OPPORTUNITIES 2 CALL TO ACTION 3
Guidelines11 was used to • Map SDG impacts across • Identify key opportunities • Outline how sector peers and
develop this Roadmap as the sector value chain to impact the SDGs stakeholders can engage with
• Prioritize SDGs for • Assess sector apportionment the Roadmap
depicted in Figure 3. the sector • Outline how IPIECA’s strategy
supports implementation

1. Establish current position

The 17 SDGs and their 169 targets the sector can make the most level of alignment with the SDGs
are interlinked by many cross- significant contribution to the SDGs. throughout the value chain.
cutting elements and the oil and Representatives from companies This led to the identification of 10
gas sector has the potential to developing this Roadmap discussed priority SDGs, shown in Figure 4,
contribute to all 17 goals. This the sector’s current level of impact which were used to frame and
Roadmap focuses on the SDGs on each of the SDGs and the develop the proposed impact
where the sector can have the sector’s potential to contribute to opportunities and actions.
greatest impact, within its own the realisation of the SDGs by either Examples of current sector
operations and by leveraging its minimising negative or maximising contribution to the priority, and
role in the value chain. positive impacts. In addition, other, SDGs are outlined in the SDG
The mapping process included a interviews were held with key Atlas. SDG17 – Partnerships for the
review of corporate disclosures external stakeholders to understand Goals, which has a strong focus on
and a range of external literature the key successes and challenges supporting developing markets –
sources to understand current levels facing the sector and to gain was highlighted as essential to all
of SDG impacts and identify where perspectives on the sector’s current impact opportunities.

FIGURE 4 Priority SDGs

11 World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2018. SDG Sector Roadmaps. https://www.wbcsd.org/Programs/People/Sustainable-
Development-Goals/SDG-Sector-Roadmaps/Resources/SDG-Sector-Roadmaps

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 13
Section 2
Roadmap development

2. Identify key impact opportunities

A series of face-to-face and virtual workshops, and deep-dive calls with
subject matter experts were held to consider where and how IPIECA, and the
sector as a whole, can make the greatest contributions to the achievement of
the priority SDGs. This led to the identification of eight impact opportunities.
For each impact opportunity, actions that IPIECA and the sector can take to
optimise their contribution were developed.
Many actions will have SDG impacts that are broader than the list of priority
SDGs. Due to this complexity, this Roadmap does not attempt to map, or
explore in detail, all potential indirect impacts on all SDGs beyond the SDGs
identified as priority.

3. Call to action
The call to action outlines how sector companies and stakeholders can
engage with the Roadmap and how IPIECA plans to catalyse impact through
implementation of the Roadmap.

BOX 4 COLLABORATING TO ACCELERATE ACTION

Achieving the SDGs by 2030 requires unprecedented collaboration
among governments, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs),
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and local
communities. The interrelated nature of the SDGs highlights the
importance of multi-stakeholder engagement. Collaborative efforts
within and beyond the oil and gas sector can allow for synergies to be
adopted and the delivery of the SDGs to be accelerated.
With a global membership covering the full oil and gas value chain,
IPIECA has the capacity to convene the sector around a wide range
of issues relating to climate, nature, people and sustainability.
IPIECA’s non-lobby status enables the association to develop its
long-standing and trusted relationship with the UN, build powerful
cross-sector partnerships, and facilitate the sector’s relationships
with IGOs, academia and NGOs.
The Roadmap is part of IPIECA’s ongoing effort to align the sector
across the SDGs. IPIECA will continue to coordinate with industry
bodies and form new alliances and partnerships to support the sector
in realising the impact opportunities identified in this Roadmap.

14 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
3.
Impact
opportunities
Section 3
Impact opportunities

Impact opportunities

The eight impact opportunities While this Roadmap sets out to its operations and the value chain
where IPIECA and oil and gas identify a series of detailed impact represents a substantial opportunity
companies have the greatest opportunities for the oil and gas to advance human development
potential to scale and accelerate sector in the context of the SDGs, globally. By proactively considering
contribution to the SDGs are it is important to note that certain and implementing the tenets of the
presented below in Figure 5. These cross-cutting factors will be central
UN Guiding Principles on Business
impact opportunities fall into to these efforts.
and Human Rights framework, and
three systemic themes – climate,
engaging in collaborative initiatives
nature and people – all of which Human rights
to tackle systemic challenges,
support the broader theme of The importance of human rights companies have the potential to
sustainable development. This in achieving the SDGs is explicitly
framing aligns with IPIECA’s break down significant barriers to
grounded in the Universal
2021-2024 strategy, which development and positively impact
Declaration of Human Rights, as well
aims to advance the oil and gas as other international instruments. the lives of millions of some of
sector’s environmental and social This Roadmap recognises that the most vulnerable individuals in
performance and contribution to a robust commitment by the oil society – helping to fulfil the central
the energy transition in the context and gas sector to continue to commitment of the SDGs of leaving
of sustainable development. respect human rights throughout no one behind.

FIGURE 5 Impact opportunities

POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS Promote effective policies and
1 partnerships that support innovation and deployment of technologies and
CLIMATE activities needed to transform the energy system and build climate resilience

INNOVATION Invest in technology and innovation that will

2 enable low-carbon energy products and solutions

3 OPERATIONS Advance emissions reduction initiatives for own

operations in support of the aims of the Paris Agreement

SUSTAINABLE NATURE
DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Responsibly manage
4 resources to support a circular economy

BIODIVERSITY, LAND AND WATER STEWARDSHIP

5 Conserve, restore and promote biodiversity and ecosystems services

PEOPLE 6 GOVERNANCE AND TRANSPARENCY Support governments in

achieving the SDGs by aligning priorities and accelerating action

COMMUNITIES Foster individual and community prosperity around own

7 activities, including advancing sustainable development, livelihoods, good health
and well-being

THRIVING WORKFORCE Provide productive employment, championing

8 worker health, safety and well-being across the supply chain

16 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

Sustainability reporting
Voluntary corporate disclosures are an important way for companies to
set out their priorities and demonstrate their commitment and progress
to sustainable development, which addresses economic, social, and
environmental challenges of this generation. The IPIECA-API-IOGP
Sustainability reporting guidance for the oil and gas industry (details are
provided in Box 5) provides practical support for reporting of the oil and gas
sector’s contribution to the SDGs.

BOX 5 SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING GUIDANCE FOR

THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY: A TOOL TO SUPPORT
MEASURING PROGRESS
With its broad scope and
knowledge base across climate,
environmental and social issues,
IPIECA is uniquely positioned
to make a positive contribution
to environmental and social
good practice in the energy
transition. One of the ways it
continues to do this is through its
leading role in the development
of the Sustainability reporting
guidance for the oil and gas
industry, alongside the American
Petroleum Institute (API) and the
International Association of Oil
and Gas Producers (IOGP).
The guidance covers 21 sustainability issues and 43 indicators
across six modules: reporting process; governance and business
ethics; climate change and energy; environment; safety, health, and
security; and social. The guidance is updated regularly to enable
oil and gas companies to shape the structure and content of their
sustainability reporting. It provides companies with direction and
content for their reporting, allowing them to show their contribution
to the energy transition.
Over 80 representatives from 28 oil and gas companies and an
independent external stakeholder panel worked together to update
the guidance in 2020.
More information: www.sustainability-reporting.org

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 17
Section 3
Impact opportunities

3.1 Climate

The United Nations Environment net-zero future it is critical that transparency and stakeholder
Programme’s (UNEP) Emissions Gap IPIECA upholds its position as part engagement as well as to
Report 2020 highlights that GHG of the international dialogue on advocate the design of policies
concentrations in the atmosphere the energy transition and that which support the aims of the
continue to rise. Even with the members continue to advance Paris Agreement. Investing in
full implementation of Nationally their contribution to resilient low- technology and innovation to
Determined Contributions (NDCs) emissions pathways. IPIECA can enable low-carbon products
this report concludes that we have a particular impact through and solutions, as well as tackling
are heading for a world that will the leading role that it takes, on emissions from operations –
be 3.2°C warmer by the end of behalf of its membership, to engage namely methane emissions,
,
this century12 13, failing to meet the UN and other key stakeholders venting carbon dioxide and flaring
the Paris Agreement’s call for in support of the aims of the Paris – are key reduction levers for the
‘holding the increase in the global Agreement. It also plays a crucial sector. Many of these options
average temperature to well below ongoing role in convening the are part of a burgeoning circular
carbon economy (CCE), a concept
2°C above pre-industrial levels industry and collaborating with
that has recently been endorsed by
and pursuing efforts to limit the stakeholders, including other
the G20, that leverages a range of
temperature increase to 1.5°C sectors, to explore and enable low-
technologies and natural climate
above pre-industrial levels.’ emissions pathways and scale up
solutions to capture, store and
innovative solutions.
IPIECA and its members support utilise CO2 to create pathways to
the aims of the Paris Agreement. Companies within the sector reduced emissions and continued
In a world aspiring towards a have opportunities to increase economic growth.

‘Achieving the long-term

temperature goals of the
Paris Agreement to limit
global warming to well
below 2°C and pursue
1.5°C depends strongly on
implementing mitigation
action by 2030.’
—UNEP, Emissions Gap Report 2020

12 United Nations Environment Programme, 2020. Emissions Gap Report 2020. Nairobi. Available at https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2020
13 Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are national climate plans highlighting climate actions, including climate related targets, policies and
measures governments aims to implement in response to climate change and as a contribution to global climate action. https://unfccc.int/process/
the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions/

18 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

Climate | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 1: Policy and partnerships

Promote effective policies and partnerships that support innovation and deployment of technologies and activities
needed to transform the energy system and build climate resilience

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
1. Lead engagement on behalf of the membership with the UN, including 7.a
participation in the UNFCCC, IPCC, UNEP, ICAO, IMO and dialogue with 8.3
key stakeholders in support of the Paris Agreement and the subsequent 13.2 M S
transformation of the energy system.
2. Convene the industry to enable emissions reductions and a positive 7.1
contribution to the energy transition through development of good 7.a
practices and solutions. 7.3 M S
8.4
13.3

3. Collaborate with stakeholders, including other sectors, to explore and 7.a

enable low-emissions pathways and scale up solutions. 7.3
8.4 H S
9.5
12.2

4. Convene the industry to raise awareness and develop good practice 12.8
guidance on climate-related partnerships and collaborations that 13.3 M M
support the aims of the Paris Agreement.
5. Develop a good practice guide that outlines approaches and activities 12.8
companies have taken to build resilient portfolios that support the aims 13.3 M M
of the Paris Agreement.
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
6. Increase stakeholder engagement to advocate the design of policies 12.c
which support the aims of the Paris Agreement and effective market- 13.2 H S
based solutions that consider an explicit or implicit value for carbon. 13.3

7. Accelerate climate policy momentum by providing technical support, 13.1

data and resources to policymakers and other relevant stakeholders. 13.2 M S
13.3

8. Report approach to managing climate-related risks including discussion 12.6

on risk and opportunities related to the energy transition. 13.3 M S

9. Collaborate with other sectors to raise awareness on responsible use of 7.3

oil and gas products. 12.2
12.8 L L
13.3

10. Be transparent about how company strategy is consistent with the aims 7.a
of the Paris Agreement. 8.3
12.6
13.1 M S
13.2
13.3
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 19
Section 3
Impact opportunities

Climate | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 2: Innovation

Invest in technology and innovation that will enable low-carbon products and solutions

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
11. Increase capacity building and facilitate discussions between companies 7.a
across sectors on business models consistent with the aims of the Paris 8.4
Agreement, including coordination of an innovation platform to address key 9.b
barriers to viability for new and emerging low-carbon solutions and products.
9.5 H S-M
12.2
12.6
13.3
12. Establish dialogue with other sectors to share good practices and knowledge 7.1
on leveraging gas infrastructure for hydrogen and other low-carbon solutions. 7.3
7.a
9.4 H S
12.2
13.3
13. Support the scaling of carbon removal technologies such as CCS by facilitating 7.a
technical knowledge transfer and guidance related to key issues, such as 9.4
9.5 H L
environmental responsibility, financial incentives, policy and liability concerns.
13.3
14. Convene and disseminate knowledge and good practice around scope 12.6
3 emissions, including categorisation, value chain emission analysis, 12.8
13.2
measurement (incl. technology requirements) and reporting, potential for
13.3
L S
scope 3 target-setting, engagement along the value chain, and capacity
issues in the value chain.
15. Develop guidance and good practices for natural climate solutions in 13.3
collaboration with groups such as OGCI and the Natural Climate Solutions 15.1
Alliance led by WBCSD and the WEF. 15.2 H S
15.3
15.5
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
16. Scale innovative and venture business models to help customers reduce 8.4
emissions. 12.2
12.8 H M
13.2
13.3
17. Increase commercial viability of existing low-carbon products that can 7.a
reduce end use emissions, such as sustainable biofuels, hydrogen, and 8.4
9.4
other solutions like CCS, through increased investment in innovation and
9.5 H M
collaboration. 9.b
12.2
18. Deploy and, where appropriate, advocate for gas infrastructure that is 7.1
compatible with decarbonised gas (e.g. hydrogen, ammonia). 7.3
7.a
9.4 H S
12.2
13.3
19. Facilitate investment, deployment and scale up of a commercially viable, safe, 8.4
and environmentally responsible CCS industry by investing in CCS projects. 9.4 H M-L
9.a
20. Facilitate investment, deployment and scale up of large-scale natural climate 8.4
solutions that follow robust environmental and social principles. 8.8
12.2
13.2
15.1 H M
15.2
15.3
15.5
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

20 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

Climate | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 3: Operations

Advance emissions reduction initiatives for operations in support of the aims of the Paris Agreement

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
21. Promote good practices and guidance in support of reducing methane 7.a
emissions to near zero. 9.4
12.2
12.4 H S
12.6
13.2
13.3

22. Contribute to the GHG reductions strategies of the IMO and ICAO 7.a
through the consideration of alternative fuels, including lifecycle 8.3 M M
analyses of potential options. 13.2

23. Convene and disseminate knowledge and good practices for oil and gas 7.a
companies in the area of net-zero emissions as a key element of the 12.6
13.2 H M
energy transition and low-emissions pathways.
13.3

24. Deepen engagement with sector beyond oil and gas to build capacity 7.2
and share knowledge on emissions reductions, flare management good 7.3
practice and impacts of climate change. 7.a
9.4 H M
12.2
13.2
13.3

OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES

25. Adopt methane intensity reduction targets consistent with best available 9.4
methodology. Consider deploying new technologies for better detection 12.2
and quantification of methane. 12.4 H M
13.2
13.3

26. Support the aims of the World Bank’s ‘Zero Routine Flaring by 2030’ 9.4
initiative. 12.4
13.2 H S
13.3

27. Strengthen operational GHG emissions reduction initiatives by 7.3

identifying emissions hotspots, implementing resource efficiency best 7.a
practices, encouraging innovation and disclosing progress. 9.4
12.2
12.4 H S
12.6
13.2
13.3

28. Report on company initiatives and progress towards improving energy 12.2
efficiency and consuming less energy. 12.6
13.1 L S
13.2

29. Engage with host governments and regulators to understand 7.1

development plans for energy provision and translate into country value 7.2
propositions and activities. 7.3
7.a H M
8.4
13.2
13.3
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 21
Section 3
Impact opportunities

3.2 Nature

The 2019 IPBES Global assessment 68 % decrease in population sizes of and air quality. IPIECA also has an
report on biodiversity and mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles important role to play in leveraging
ecosystem services documented and fish between 1970 and 201616. industry expertise and further
the unprecedented rate of decline developing sector good practices
The oil and gas sector continues to
in global biodiversity, raising in areas around the efficient use
undertake activities to help conserve
awareness of impending potential of resources and in land and water
and restore the natural environment
risks for society and businesses. stewardship. Individual companies
as well as to avoid, reduce and
In the last 50 years, the direct operating in the sector also have an
mitigate risks and impacts from
drivers of change in nature with the opportunity to improve their impact
operations and products. The sector
largest global impact have included by developing and promoting
has an opportunity to continue to
changes in land and sea use, direct good practices and by deploying
embed circularity, nature positive,
exploitation of organisms, climate innovations not only in their
and natural capital concepts into
change, pollution and invasion own operations, but also in joint
operations and, where practicable,
of alien species14. While the rate ventures and their supply chains.
to extend these in joint ventures and
of forest loss has slowed globally Oil and gas companies also have an
through the supply chain.
since 2000, 32 million hectares of important opportunity to leverage
primary or recovering forest were IPIECA will continue to play and share their long-standing
lost between 2010 and 2015. 66 % a critical role in stewarding knowledge and experience when it
of the ocean area is experiencing engagement with UN agencies comes to managing environmental
increasing cumulative impacts, and and other stakeholders to and social impacts to address
over 85 % of wetlands area has been support international progress on emerging impacts associated with
lost15. There has been on average a biodiversity, natural capital, water growth in alternative energy.

14 IPBES, 2019. Summary for Policymakers of the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. https://doi.org/10.5281/
zenodo.3553579
15 IPBES, 2019. The Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, https://ipbes.net/global-assessment
16 WWF-ZSL, 2020. Living Planet Report. https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/4783129/LPR/PDFs/ENGLISH-FULL.pdf

22 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

Nature | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 4: Resources management

Responsibly manage resources to support a circular economy

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
30. Convene the industry to identify, promote and share good practices on 9.5
how to manage effective environmental performance in operations, joint M S
ventures and the supply chain.
31. Facilitate knowledge sharing of environmental good practice and 9.4
experiences from the oil and gas sector to support the sustainable 12.2 M S
uptake of alternative energy.
32. Engage with leading circular economy initiatives to identify key steps for 12.2
the sector to support a circular and low-carbon transition. 12.4
12.5 M S
14.1
33. Develop or update good practice guidance and definitions for the sector 9.4
and supply chain around principles of circularity. 9.5
12.2
12.4 M M
12.5
12.6
14.1
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
34. Identify opportunities to integrate circular practices and associated 12.2
indicators into product stewardship and supply chain management. 12.6 M S
14.1

35. Embed sustainable design and circularity principles at early project 9.1
stages, and throughout development, to increase the sustainability of 9.4
project infrastructure, processes, and products. 9.5
12.2 H S
12.4
12.5
12.6
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 23
Section 3
Impact opportunities

Nature | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 5: Biodiversity, land and water stewardship

Conserve, restore and promote biodiversity and ecosystems services

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
36. Lead the engagement with UN agencies (UNEP, UNCBD) and other stakeholders 14.2
15.1
to support international progress on biodiversity, water and air quality.
15.a M S
15.b
37. Continue to promote within the oil and gas sector and beyond, the application 15.1
of the mitigation hierarchy17 in managing impacts on marine and terrestrial 15.2 M M
15.5
environments.
38. Leverage member expertise and collaborate with external stakeholders to 14.2
develop good practices on nature-based solutions (NbS) – including working 15.1
with well-established platforms.
15.2 M L
15.3
15.5
39. Co-develop sector guidance with stakeholders on how to implement effective 12.6
strategies to measure sector and company progress on avoiding and minimising 14.2
15.1
impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services, e.g. update guidance on how 15.2 H S-M
to develop biodiversity action plans (BAPs) to include latest developments in 15.3
scientific knowledge, technology, policies, regulations and nature positive. 15.5
40. Leverage connections with other expert groups around developing 14.2
company strategies for restoration, which may include the management and 15.1
conservation of forests, to avoid deforestation and land-use change, and to
15.2 M M
15.5
plan restoration.
41. Encourage knowledge sharing and develop sector guidance for conservation 13.1
of key ecosystems that support climate adaptation and increase resilience (e.g. 14.2
carbon-storage ecosystems, forests and watersheds) in partnership with other
15.1 H L
15.2
organizations such as conservation NGOs. 15.3
42. Develop the IPIECA-API-IOGP Sustainability reporting guidance for the oil and 12.6
gas industry to include metrics focused on biodiversity (such as the biodiversity 13.2 H M
indicators for site-based impacts).
43. Enable consistency in reporting ENV-4 (protected and priority areas for 12.6
biodiversity conservation) by developing guidance for protected or sensitive 14.2 M S
15.1
areas and biodiversity reporting.
44. Promote and facilitate discussion within the oil and gas sector and beyond around 14.1
the UNGC Sustainable Ocean Principles and associated guidance documents. 14.2
14.3 H S
16.7
16.10
45. Promote and contribute to the development and implementation of marine 14.2
spatial strategies to encourage concerted management of the rights of the 14.c M L
different users.
46. Develop guidance on how to operate in or near protected areas. 14.2
15.1 M S

17 A tool which aims to help manage biodiversity risk, and is commonly applied in environmental impact assessments (EIAs). (Includes a hierarchy of
steps: avoidance, minimisation, rehabilitation, restoration and offset). https://www.ipieca.org/resources/fact-sheet/managing-biodiversity-and-
ecosystem-services-in-oil-and-gas-mainstreaming-the-mitigation-hierarchy/

24 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA continued
47. Develop a marine biodiversity and ecosystem services baseline good practice 14.2
guidance document. M S

48. Provide guidance and peer learning to enable the oil and gas industry to 6.3
identify water risks and provide a framework for watershed level management. 6.4 H S
6.6
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
49. Implement environmental management practices that incorporate the 14.2
mitigation hierarchy to promote biodiversity and ecosystem services, with a focus 15.1
on critical ecosystems and protected areas. 15.2 H L
15.3
15.5
50. Develop a holistic approach to environmental management that takes into 6.1
consideration direct, indirect and cumulative impacts - such as on ecosystem 6.3
services - across the project lifecycle. 6.4
6.5
6.6
6.b M S
12.2
14.1
14.2
15.1
51. Adopt water stewardship strategies that include collaboration around 6.1
integrated water resources management, local participation in the 6.3
collective management of water particularly in areas of water scarcity, and 6.4
6.5
improvement of water quality and re-use of water, where feasible to reduce 6.6
usage of fresh water. 6.b L M
12.2
14.1
14.2
15.1
52. Share relevant marine environmental data (e.g. environmental baseline, 14.a
monitoring studies, seismic data, EIA), for use in public or private online
databases, (e.g. UNEP-WCMC and Global Biodiversity Information Facility [GBIF]), M M
or country specific databases and collaborate with research institutions on the
UN Decade of Ocean Science.
53. Contribute to sustainable shipping practices throughout the value chain (e.g. 12.4
through compliance with IMO/MARPOL requirements such as development 14.1
and application of strict ballast water management practices and adoption of 14.2 M M
lower sulphur and alternative marine fuels for improved air quality).
54. Finance joint industry projects related to sustainable ocean management (e.g. IOGP 14.2
and eDNA JIP). M M
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 25
Section 3
Impact opportunities

3.3 People

Beyond the over 4.5 million people avoided, managed or mitigated. IPIECA will continue to lead
that are directly employed in oil It is important that the sector industry collaboration and
and gas,18 sector activities can help continues to work together to help engagement with UN agencies
contribute to the socioeconomic promote sustainable livelihoods and other stakeholders on the
development of local communities. and adequate living standards, topic of a just transition. It will
Oil and gas operations can and to respect people’s rights also continue to promote high
stimulate the local economy and to health, labour and property. standards and good practice
promote good practice in labour, Both IPIECA and its members will informed by the UN Guiding
human rights, health and safety, continue to play a crucial role Principles on Business and Human
and environmental and social in promoting good governance Rights framework (UNGPs) and
performance, directly and through and transparency, respect for by convening the industry to
the supply chain. Oil and gas human rights and diversity in the
advance social performance
activities can also generate high workforce. The sector also has an
along the supply chain. The oil
fiscal revenues, attract significant important role to play in social and
and gas industry also has a wealth
foreign direct investment and economic development through its
of experience in protecting the
accrue foreign exchange reserves, interactions with governments and
other stakeholders and their internal health, safety and well-being of
which contribute to the overall its workforce, and collaborating
economic growth of host countries actions and policies. Whilst much
has been achieved, there are actions with local communities. These
and the ability of governments core attributes make the industry
that can be initiated, strengthened,
to invest in activities that directly well positioned to harness its
or deepened across the sector. This
contribute to realising the SDGs. collective expertise to promote
includes the positive contributions
However, oil and gas operations that companies make to the SDGs worker welfare and workforce
can also result in risks to workers directly via their interactions with the diversity within its operations
and local communities including communities in which they operate, and supply chain, and to extend
to health, safety, livelihoods or via the workforces they employ and this knowledge and experience
welfare, where not appropriately through their supply chains. through the energy transition.

18 IBISWorld, 2021. Global Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Industry - Market Research Report. https://www.ibisworld.com/global/market-research-
reports/global-oil-gas-exploration-production-industry/

26 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

People | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 6: Governance and transparency

Support governments in achieving the SDGs by aligning priorities and accelerating action

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
55. Share learnings and exchange experiences and approaches for the 16.3
implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. M S

56. Engage with stakeholders such as the Organisation for Economic 16.3
Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Extractive Industries 16.5
Transparency Initiative (EITI) and others to coordinate efforts to scale 16.6 H S
action around good governance and transparency.
57. Facilitate and encourage the sector’s understanding of national climate 7.1
and sustainability action plans in order to enhance investment-related 7.2
7.a
decision-making capabilities, accelerate action and catalyse partnerships.
8.4 H S
13.2
13.a
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
58. Be transparent about revenues according to relevant legislation and the 16.5
international methodology such as EITI methodology. 16.6 H S

59. With reference to the goals of the UNGPs, and associated national 16.3
action plans19, engage with governments on their voluntary national 16.5
reviews20 (VNRs) and how these are translated into national value 16.6 M M
propositions and activities.
60. Strengthen cooperation between companies and governments on 8.2
health, safety and environment training programmes, social impact 8.3 M M
assessments, job creation and social performance standards. 8.5

61. Be transparent about policies, codes of conduct and internal controls 16.5
related to prevention of bribery and corruption. 16.6 H S
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

19 For more information on the UNGPs and associated national action plans, please see: https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/business/pages/
nationalactionplans.aspx
20 For more information on VNRs, please see: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/vnrs/

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 27
Section 3
Impact opportunities

People | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 7: Communities

Foster individual and community prosperity around own activities, including advancing livelihoods, good health
and well-being

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
62. Provide global leadership on the ways in which the industry should interact 3.9
with people and communities – including details on the role of the sector in 8.8
16.2
respecting human rights and driving socio-economic development.
16.3 M M
16.6
16.10
63. Continue to develop operational guidance and tools to support company 16.2
understanding and implementation of the goals of the UNGPs framework. 16.3
16.6 H S
16.7
16.10
64. Assist companies to understand the risks and opportunities of the energy 8.2
transition to local communities in the context of the engagement on the 8.3
8.7
just transition.
8.8 H M
9.2
13.3
65. Encourage collaboration and the sharing of information as appropriate 3.9
between companies operating in the same geographies (e.g. sharing 8.3
of insights/information from environmental, social and health impact 8.5 H M
16.7
assessment and monitoring and reporting of data).
66. Share good practices around effective and inclusive community 16.7
engagement and consultation including the roles of individuals responsible L S
for stakeholder relations (including community liaison officers).
67. Help companies make successful and sustainable social investments 8.3
through good practice sharing and by supporting companies to better 16.7
understand how to measure their social impact and build long-term L S
shared value.
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
68. Undertake multi-stakeholder, participatory engagements with local 3.8
communities and host governments to understand socio-economic 3.9
development priorities and utilise this understanding to drive shared value. 3.c
This can be driven through core business practices, and maximising local
8.1 H M
8.2
content and social investment. 8.3
8.5
69. Improve the use of environmental, social, community health and 3.9
economic impact assessments to identify opportunities to advance 8.3
contributions to the SDGs, including a focus on vulnerable people and with 8.5 H M
8.6
particular consideration for operations in countries with a lower Human
Development Index.

28 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES continued
70. Conduct targeted human rights due diligence to proactively manage 16.2
potential and actual adverse human rights impacts as well as identifying 16.3
16.6 H M
opportunities to advance human rights.
16.10
71. Build mutual respect, trust and confidence with local communities through 16.6
early, ongoing, transparent, and accessible engagement programmes and 16.7 H
community-level grievance mechanisms encompassing operations and 16.10
(local)
activities of suppliers. M
L
(global)
72. Increase access to energy with accompanying benefits such as improved air 7.1
quality for local communities, by expanding and improving off-grid systems 7.b
and low-carbon technical solutions, to support the sector’s contribution to H L
the energy transition in the context of sustainable development.
73. Support innovative financing and payment mechanisms to assist 7.1
communities in gaining access to energy and other essential services. 7.a H L

74. Promote and build effective public-private partnerships in order to help 8.3
advance positive business impacts to local communities. H L

75. Actively engage in the energy transition dialogues in countries of operation 7.1
to identify opportunities to share knowledge and experience. 9.4
9.a M S
9.b
76. As the sector transitions into new forms of energy and activities, harness 16.2
industry’s collective expertise in operational performance standards to 16.3
16.6 H M
promote respect for human rights.
16.10
77. Consider, when consulting with local communities and/or Indigenous 16.7
Peoples about land issues such as acquisition, resettlement or access, how 16.10
to strengthen land rights, reduce vulnerability and improve livelihoods and H M
standards of living.
78. Recognise the position of Indigenous Peoples and aim for free, prior and 16.7
informed consent (FPIC). 16.10 H M

79. Support national health efforts and community response through 3.8
collaborative efforts on disease prevention and medical emergency response. 3.c H M
3.d
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 29
Section 3
Impact opportunities

People | IMPACT OPPORTUNITY 8: Thriving workforces

Provide productive employment, championing worker health, safety and well-being across the supply chain

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
ACTIONS FOR IPIECA
80. Support companies to promote high standards and good practice 8.2
informed by the UNGPs framework, enhance human rights due 8.3
diligence through operations and business relationships, and explore 8.7 H M
8.8
collaborative opportunities to enhance worker welfare throughout the
industry supply chain.
81. Engage with other industries to understand innovative approaches to 8.2
human rights and worker welfare, particularly related to the supply chain, 8.3
8.7 M S
and offer spaces for collaboration.
8.8
82. Promote and share good practices on local content, including supporting 8.1
companies to identify systematic ways to measure and report on local 8.2
content, exploring collaboration initiatives to streamline and enhance 8.3 M M
programmes in-country, and by tracking laws and regulations.
83. Lead industry collaboration and engagement with UN agencies and other 16.7
stakeholders on the just transition. M M

84. Bring together and share good practice on company approaches to 8.2
skills building, re-skilling and enterprise development that supports 8.3
a just transition for workers in global supply chains, which fosters 8.5
8.6
inclusion and equality. In that context explore the application of 8.7 H L
emerging principles such as WBCSD’s Business principles for people- 8.8
centred technology transformation. 9.2
13.3
85. Facilitate dialogue across the sector to address diversity and inclusion topics 8.5
across the industry’s supply chains and communities. H S

30 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
 Section 3
Impact opportunities

LEVEL OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE SDGS L Low M Medium H High Level of

TIMEFRAME S 1–3 yrs M 4–6 yrs L 7–9 yrs Priority potential
SDG impact on
Impact pathways targets* the SDGs Timeframe
OPTIONS FOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES
86. Implement local content plans that support supplier development and 8.3
enhance the scale and quality of local procurement. Where possible, 8.5 H
emphasise preference for local suppliers near operations. 8.7
8.8 (local)
M
L
(global)
87. Contribute to a skills base that is transferable across industry sectors in the 8.2
context of the energy transition including training and continuous learning 8.5 H L
opportunities for suppliers and local communities.
88. Implement transition plans well in advance of transition between different 8.2
project phases, including closure, to reduce impacts to local communities 8.3
including engagement with labor organizations and actively assisting the 13.3 M L
workforce to prepare for and access future employment opportunities.
89. Measure and report on local content in order to improve visibility, promote 8.2
dialogue and maintain focus. 8.3 M M
13.3

90. Strive to positively influence the human rights policies and practices of oil 8.3
and gas suppliers and work with suppliers on the results and findings to 8.5
8.7 H M
improve, and, where appropriate, disclose information to scale impact.
8.8
91. Respect human rights informed by the UNGPs framework or seek ways to 8.5
promote and strengthen existing corporate human rights policies. 8.7 H S
8.8

92. Share good practice examples to support companies’ assessment of 3.9

health-related risks and opportunities of the energy transition and related M S
technological enhancement.
93. Promote health services and programmes to workers to address major non- 3.8
work-related health risks. 3.9 M S
* SDG targets are based on identified priority SDGs. The full list of SDG targets can be found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 31
4.
The road
to 2030
 Section 4
The road to 2030

4.1 Implementation

This Roadmap outlines how the oil and gas sector can accelerate action and scale up activities to
contribute to the 2030 Agenda. A series of 93 actions across eight impact opportunities and three
systemic themes present IPIECA, oil and gas companies and supply chain stakeholders with a shared
vision on where to focus collaboration, innovation and transformation efforts that will help to manage
future risks and maximise contribution to the SDGs. The success of the Roadmap is dependent on
collective implementation and IPIECA encourages interested parties to contact us with ideas to align
projects or strengthen partnerships.

IPIECA
IPIECA launched a new four-year IPIECA 2021–2024 strategy
strategy (2021–2024) in December
2020, that includes a vision which
Providing leadership for the global oil and
combines advancing the oil and gas industry on advancing climate action,
gas industry’s environmental and environmental reponsibility, social performance
social performance with supporting
the sector’s contribution to the and mainstreaming sustainability
energy transition in the context
of sustainable development. The CLIMATE NATURE PEOPLE SUSTAINABILITY
strategy was developed in parallel
with this Roadmap and recognises
the significance of IPIECA’s
members’ contribution to help meet
the aims of the Paris Agreement and
the 2030 Agenda. IPIECA’s annual
business planning activities will
embed key Roadmap actions and
will function as a vehicle for delivery.

‘IPIECA develops, shares and promotes good practice and knowledge to help the
industry improve its environmental and social performance. We understand that the
issues that dominate the global agenda – advancing climate action, environmental
responsibility, social performance and mainstreaming sustainability – are too big for
individual companies to tackle alone. This is why IPIECA brings together its members
along with its key stakeholders to achieve real impacts.’
—Sophie Depraz, IPIECA Programme Director

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 33
Section 4
The road to 2030

WBCSD It is recognised that some actions

in the Roadmap may need to be
WBCSD will continue to work closely
with IPIECA, promoting this Roadmap tailored to reflect the different
and supporting and challenging the characteristics of different actors
organization and its members as they in what is a very diverse sector.
seek to implement the key actions Many of the challenges the SDGs
it identifies across the themes of address are beyond an individual
climate, nature and people. Drawing company’s capabilities or control,
from experience in developing and and outside the sphere of its core
implementing roadmaps across a business activities. Therefore,
variety of other sectors, WBCSD will multi-stakeholder dialogue and
also seek to provide guidance to collaboration is key to the successful
IPIECA and its members on the most implementation of this Roadmap.
effective ways to monitor, measure
and report on progress.
Stakeholders
Oil and gas companies Supply chain stakeholders are also
invited to explore the Roadmap to
Companies are encouraged to
use the Roadmap for inspiration understand entry points available for
to build or consider activities further collaboration, alignment and
and collaboration in the context dialogue that will help to maximise
of existing SDG-led strategies. SDG impact.
Integration of the SDGs into core Other stakeholders such as civil
business activities will help the
society organizations, policymakers
sector to build resilience against
or investors which monitor the
the backdrop of the transition to
implementation of the SDGs may
a low-carbon future, while also
helping it to manage regulatory find this Roadmap useful to deepen
and reputational risks, and leverage their understanding of the potential
emerging opportunities in terms of of the oil and gas sector to contribute
new markets, access to sustainable to the SDG agenda and to strengthen
finance and attracting and their dialogue with IPIECA and/or
retaining top talent. companies within the sector.

Making an impact
To ensure the Roadmap remains relevant and that partnerships continue
to focus on the areas where action is most needed, implementation of
the Roadmap will require stakeholder engagement and monitoring of
emerging trends and developments which may ultimately influence the
priorities. IPIECA will also share informative case studies on its website to
demonstrate and share information as to how IPIECA, its members and
others are using the Roadmap and contributing to the SDGs.
The latest information on the Roadmap is available at
www.sdg-roadmap.org.

34 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
Resources

CLIMATE
• Addressing adaptation in the oil and gas industry • Energy and greenhouse gas efficiency compendium
• Climate change: a glossary of terms (5th edition) • Exploring methane emissions
• Exploring the concept of ‘unburnable carbon’ • Methane glossary
• Guidelines for implementing ISO 50001 energy • Oil and natural gas industry guidelines for greenhouse gas
management systems in the oil and gas industry reduction projects: carbon capture and geological storage
emission reduction project family
Low-emissions pathways • Preparing effective flare management plans
• Exploring low-emissions pathways for transport • Saving energy in the oil and gas industry
• Exploring low-emissions pathways: Advancing the • The expanding role of natural gas. Comparing lifecycle
Paris Puzzle greenhouse gas emissions
• Making the case for carbon capture and storage
• The Paris Puzzle: The pathway to a low-emissions future Fuels and products
• GHG emissions and the cost of carbon abatement for light-
Transparency and reporting duty road vehicles
• IPIECA-API-IOGP Sustainability Reporting Guidance • Joint Industry Guidance on the supply and use of
0.50%-sulphur marine fuels
• Estimating petroleum industry value chain (Scope 3)
greenhouse gas emissions. Overview of methodologies • Lower-sulphur fuels, road transport strategies and air
quality improvements
• Petroleum industry guidelines for reporting greenhouse
gas emissions (2nd edition) • Lower-sulphur fuels, road transport strategies and air
quality improvements (Executive summary)
• The role of scenario analysis in climate reporting
• Management and remediation of sites in the
Emissions management petroleum industry
• Addressing uncertainty in oil and natural gas industry • Mercury management in petroleum refining
greenhouse gas inventories. Technical considerations and • Petroleum refinery waste management and minimization
calculation methods • Refinery air emissions management

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 35
Resources

NATURE PEOPLE
• Environmental management in the upstream oil and • Integrating human rights into environmental, social and
gas industry health impact assessments
• The application of Globally Harmonized System (GHS) • Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights:
criteria to petroleum substances Implementation Guidance Tools
• The IPIECA water management framework • Health management in the oil and gas industry
• Mercury management in petroleum refining • Community liaison officers team building and
• Managing biodiversity & ecosystem services (BES) issues management guidance
along the asset lifecycle in any environment: 10 tips for • Creating successful, sustainable social investment. (2nd edition)
success in the oil and gas industry • Local content. A guidance document for the oil and gas
• A cross-sector guide for implementing the mitigation industry (2nd edition)
hierarchy • Community grievance mechanisms in the oil and gas industry
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services fundamentals • Please visit IPIECA’s website for guidance on:
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services fundamentals: • Human rights: https://www.ipieca.org/our-work/people/
A summary respecting-human-rights/ which includes guidance on
• Water risk assessment in the oil and gas sector: due diligence, impact assessments, worker and community
An overview grievance mechanisms, and labour rights in the supply chain.
• Reuse of produced water from the onshore oil and • Responsible security: https://www.ipieca.org/our-work/
gas industry people/responsible-security/ where you can find
• Managing biodiversity and ecosystem services implementation guidance on the Voluntary Principles on
in oil and gas development: Mainstreaming the Security and Human Rights, as well as a host government
mitigation hierarchy engagement strategy tool and host country security
assessment guide.
• Good practices for the collection of biodiversity baseline data
• Engaging with communities and Indigenous Peoples:
• Identifying and assessing water sources
https://www.ipieca.org/our-work/people/working-with-
• Efficiency in water use local-communities/
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services horizon scanning 2021 • Community and occupational health: https://www.ipieca.
org/our-work/people/health-and-wellbeing/
Latest information available at www.ipieca.org
WBCSD resources can be accessed at www.wbcsd.org

36 Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector
Acronyms and abbreviations

API American Petroleum Institute MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention
BAP Biodiversity action plan of Pollution from Ships
BES Biodiversity and ecosystem services NbS Nature-based solutions
CCE Circular carbon economy NCS Natural climate solutions
CCS Carbon capture and storage NDC Nationally determined contribution
CO2 Carbon dioxide NGO Non-governmental organization
eDNA Environmental DNA NOC National oil company
EIA Environmental impact assessment OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development
EITI Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
OGCI Oil & Gas Climate Initiative
ESHIA Environmental, social and health impact
assessment SDG Sustainable Development Goal
E&P Exploration and production UN United Nations
FPIC Free, prior and informed consent UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity
GHG Greenhouse gas
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
IEA International Energy Agency
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on
IEC Integrated energy company
Climate Change
IFC International Finance Corporation
UNGC UN Global Compact
IGO Intergovernmental organization
UNGPs UN Guiding Principles on Business and
ILO International Labor Organization Human Rights
IMO International Maritime Organization US United States
IOC International oil companies VNR Voluntary national review
IOGP International Association of Oil & Gas WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable
Producers Development
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate UNEP-WCMC UN Environment Programme World
Change Conservation Monitoring Centre
JIP Joint industry project

Acknowledgements
The information within this document was developed under the auspices of IPIECA and WBCSD. It represents the
work of IPIECA members and experts from WBCSD. The document also benefitted from the inputs from external
stakeholders. IPIECA and WBCSD would particularly like to thank ERM, Vicky Copeman, Bryan Hartlin and Laura Street
(facilitators), and Rikki Campbell Ogden (designer).
This publication is released in the name of IPIECA and WBCSD. It is the result of a collaborative effort by members of
their secretariats and representatives from IPIECA’s member companies. A wide range of IPIECA members reviewed
drafts, thereby ensuring that the document broadly represents the perspective of the IPIECA membership. It does not
mean, however, that every member company agrees with every word.

Accelerating action An SDG Roadmap for the oil and gas sector 37
IPIECA is the global oil and gas industry association for advancing environmental
and social performance. IPIECA convenes a significant portion of the oil and gas
industry across the value chain, bringing together the expertise of companies and
associations to develop, share and promote good practice and knowledge.
IPIECA is the industry’s principal channel of engagement with the United Nations.
Its unique position enables its members to support the energy transition and
contribute to sustainable development.

WBCSD is a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working

together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. It helps make its member
companies more successful and sustainable by focusing on the maximum positive
impact for shareholders, the environment and societies.  
Its member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies,
representing a combined revenue of more than US$8.5 trillion and 19 million
employees. WBCSD’s global network of almost 70 national business councils gives
its members unparalleled reach across the globe. Since 1995, WBCSD has been
uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains
to deliver impactful business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.  
Together, WBCSD and its members are the leading voice of business for sustainability:
united by their vision of a world where more than 9 billion people are all living well
and within the boundaries of our planet, by 2050.

IPIECA
14th Floor, City Tower
40 Basinghall Street
London EC2V 5DE
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7633 2388

E: info@ipieca.org

IPIECA
@IPIECA

www.ipieca.org

© IPIECA / WBCSD 2021

All rights reserved.