Ipieca, the global oil and gas association for advancing environmental and social performance across the energy transition, is marking its 50th anniversary. It was established in 1974 at the request of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to act as the engagement channel between UNEP and the oil and gas industry on environmental and climate issues.
In the 5 decades that have followed, the non-lobby association’s scope has expanded to cover social performance and mainstreaming sustainability, and it now works with a wide range of UN bodies across its strategic pillars of climate, nature, people, and sustainability.
The association brings experts from its member companies together with its partners in UN, non-governmental organizations, and academic organizations to share knowledge and develop good practice guidance. To date it has published over 300 good-practice guidance to advance climate action, environmental responsibility, social performance, and sustainability.
“Ipieca’s achievements over the last 50 years are a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Brian Sullivan, Ipieca’s executive director. “Bringing together some of the foremost sustainability experts from across our membership with their counterparts in the UN, civil society, and academia has enabled us to make a significant—and unique—contribution to the areas of climate, nature, people, and sustainability.’
Ipieca membership currently stands at 79 members, including international oil and energy companies, national oil companies, and service and technology suppliers and associations. Its membership represents approximately 50% of global hydrocarbon production and an increasing amount of renewable energy capacity.
“While Ipieca’s scope has expanded and its membership increased greatly over the years, our core role remains the same as it was when we were established 50 years ago: to raise awareness and support for UN conventions and provide the good practice guidance and tools to help industry contribute to achieving them,” said Morten Mikkelsen, chair of Ipieca.