Sustainability

BP Cuts Ties With Three US Trade Groups Over Climate Policies

The decision comes after the UK oil corporation’s new chief executive, Bernard Looney, set an ambitious target to shrink its carbon footprint to net zero by 2050. To achieve this it will have to cut more greenhouse gas emissions every year than the amount produced by the whole of the UK.

Worker near tank painted with BP logo
BP says it will "pursue opportunities to work with organizations who share our ambitious and progressive approach to the energy transition."
Credit: Dan Peled/AAP.

BP is to sever links with three US-based trade associations, including the country’s main refining lobby, because of disagreements over their climate-related policies and activities.

The decision comes after the UK oil corporation’s new chief executive, Bernard Looney, set an ambitious target to shrink its carbon footprint to net zero by 2050. To achieve this, it will have to cut more greenhouse gas emissions every year than the amount produced by the whole of the UK.

BP said it would pull out of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), following in the footsteps of Shell and France’s Total, which left the lobby group last April. It will also quit the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and the Western Energy Alliance (WEA).

Over the past 6 months, BP has conducted a review of how its climate-crisis-related policies and activities compare with those of 30 trade associations.

BP cited material differences in its views on carbon pricing in relation to the positions adopted by AFPM and WSPA. It will not renew its WEA membership because of significant differences around the federal regulation of methane.

Looney said, “BP will pursue opportunities to work with organizations who share our ambitious and progressive approach to the energy transition. And, when differences arise, we will be transparent. But, if our views cannot be reconciled, we will be prepared to part company.

“My hope is that in the coming years we can add climate to the long list of areas where, as an industry, we work together for a greater good.”

The AFPM president and chief executive, Chet Thompson, said, “We are certainly disappointed with BP’s decision. We do not believe that BP’s trade association report accurately reflects AFPM’s position and commitment to finding solutions that address climate change.

“As an active member of our executive committee, BP knows full well that AFPM recognizes that climate change is real and that we are committed to engaging on and developing policies that enable our members to provide the fuels and petrochemicals that humanity needs to thrive in a sustainable way.”

BP has identified a further five organisations with which it is only partially aligned on the climate crisis and has told them about these differences. They are the American Petroleum Institute, Australian Institute of Petroleum, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, National Association of Manufacturers, and the US Chamber of Commerce.

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