BP
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | |||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
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Climate Science Transparency
Is the organisation being transparent about climate change science? |
1
|
2
|
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NA |
Climate Science Stance
Is the organization supporting the science of climate change and the response demanded (as per the IPCC) |
0
|
1
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NA |
0
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
Need for Climate Regulation
To what extent does the organization express the need for climate policy and regulations in general. |
0
|
0
|
NS |
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
NA |
UN Treaty Support
Is the organization supporting a global treaty on climate change and the UN FCCC process? |
1
|
1
|
NS | NS |
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation being transparent about their positions on climate change legislation and policy, including CEO statements. |
0
|
NA |
-2
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
0
|
0
|
NS |
-2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
NA |
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
NA |
Energy Efficiency Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Energy efficiency standards and targets |
0
|
-1
|
NS |
-2
|
NS |
1
|
NS | NA |
Renewable Energy Legislation
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy targets, subsidies and legislation. |
NS |
0
|
NS |
0
|
-1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
Energy Policy and Mix
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy policy and the energy mix. We refer to IPCC thinking on renewables, coal, oil and gas. |
0
|
0
|
NS |
0
|
0
|
0
|
-1
|
NA |
GHG Emission Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. |
0
|
0
|
NS |
0
|
0
|
1
|
NS | NA |
Disclosure on Relationships
The Caring for Climate “inventory” of climate change policy influences: Are companies being transparent about their business associations which may impact climate debate and policy |
0
|
NS |
-2
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of BP is Chairman of NGSA
Orlando A. Alvarez

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of BP is vice chair of NGSA
Orlando A. Alvarez

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of BP is Chairman of NGSA
Orlando A. Alvarez

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of BP is vice chair of NGSA
Orlando A. Alvarez

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive of BP is on the Board of Directors of Fuels Europe. (Information up to date 05/01/2021)
Peter Mather, Group Regional Vice President, Europe and Head of Country, UK

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive of BP is on the Board of Directors of Fuels Europe. (Information up to date 05/01/2021)
Peter Mather, Group Regional Vice President, Europe and Head of Country, UK

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Peter Mather, BP Group Regional President for Europe and Head of Country (UK), sits in the Energy and Climate Change Board of CBI.
Peter Mather

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A BP exec is on the CBI's Taxation Committee.
Jan Lyons

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Peter Mather, BP Group Regional President for Europe and Head of Country (UK), sits in the Energy and Climate Change Board of CBI.
Peter Mather

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A BP exec is on the CBI's Taxation Committee.
Jan Lyons

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP participates in API policy and technical committees, as well as the board of directors and executive committee.
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
In its 2020 Trade Association Review, BP said the following regarding its membership to API:"API took significant steps in 2019 to revise its climate position. The new position and corresponding climate policy principles have shifted a great deal and the association is now more closely aligned. Although we have some areas of difference in terms of climate policy, we have worked closely with API on these recent changes and we will continue to do so as its climate position progresses. We will continue to make the case for our views on methane and broader climate policy within and outside of API."

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP subsidiary executive is a member of the American Petroleum Institute Board and Executive Committee
Susan Dio, Chairman and President of BP America

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Upstream Committee Member
Starlee Sykes, Regional President of Gulf of Mexico and Canada

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of a subsidiary of BP is on the committee of API
John Mingé

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP distanced themselves from the API and their position on climate change, describing the organisation as an industry standard setter that 'drifts over into policy', declaring that 'we are not involved..we can help inside or out'. (BP AGM, 2016)
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP participates in API policy and technical committees, as well as the board of directors and executive committee.
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
In its 2020 Trade Association Review, BP said the following regarding its membership to API:"API took significant steps in 2019 to revise its climate position. The new position and corresponding climate policy principles have shifted a great deal and the association is now more closely aligned. Although we have some areas of difference in terms of climate policy, we have worked closely with API on these recent changes and we will continue to do so as its climate position progresses. We will continue to make the case for our views on methane and broader climate policy within and outside of API."

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP subsidiary executive is a member of the American Petroleum Institute Board and Executive Committee
Susan Dio, Chairman and President of BP America

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Upstream Committee Member
Starlee Sykes, Regional President of Gulf of Mexico and Canada

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of a subsidiary of BP is on the committee of API
John Mingé

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP distanced themselves from the API and their position on climate change, describing the organisation as an industry standard setter that 'drifts over into policy', declaring that 'we are not involved..we can help inside or out'. (BP AGM, 2016)
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Vice President North Sea of BP is a board member of OGUK.
Emeka Emembolu

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of BP is a board member of OGUK
Ariel Flores

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of BP is a board member of OGUK
Mark Thomas

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Vice President North Sea of BP is a board member of OGUK.
Emeka Emembolu

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of BP is a board member of OGUK
Ariel Flores

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of BP is a board member of OGUK
Mark Thomas

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP is one of 24 direct members of AIGN. BP's Policy Director for Environmental and Community Affairs is on the executive at AIGN.
Tzila Katzel

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP is one of 24 direct members of AIGN. BP's Policy Director for Environmental and Community Affairs is on the executive at AIGN.
Tzila Katzel

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP is represented on the association’s board and participate in policy and technical committees. In its 2020 review of industry associations, BP stated it was partially aligned with AIP on climate change.
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP Australia is one of 4 direct members of AIP.
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP is represented on the association’s board and participate in policy and technical committees. In its 2020 review of industry associations, BP stated it was partially aligned with AIP on climate change.
not specified

InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
BP Australia is one of 4 direct members of AIP.
not specified
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: BP appears actively engaged on climate and energy policy. BP’s top line statements on climate change appear to have improved since 2015, especially in 2020 with the arrival of the new CEO Bernard Looney. However, engagement with detailed climate policy and regulation appears to remain mixed.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In February 2020, BP released its new ambition which included to ‘help the world get to net zero’. In 2020, BP supported the city of Houston’s (U.S) climate plan to reduce the city’s GHG emissions to zero by 2050. In 2020, BP has also called on government to ‘press ahead’ with commitments to tackle climate change in the wake of COVID-19, including the UK government, which BP stated should align its COVID-19 recovery plans with the UK’s legislated target of net zero emissions by 2050. This appears to mark a change from BP’s previous advocacy on net zero emissions reductions. For example, in October 2018, responding to an EU consultation, BP did not appear to support increasing the region’s 2050 GHG emissions reduction contribution.
A similar change in direction can be seen regarding the company’s position on the need for climate change regulation. As part of the company’s 2020 ambitions statement (Feb 2020), BP has stated that it would advocate for policies that support net zero. In contrast, in 2018, former BP CEO Bob Dudley thanked the Trump administration for the “avalanche of regulations” that have been reduced or removed.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Under the previous CEO, Bob Dudley, BP actively lobbied the US Administration between 2016-2018 for the repeal or rollback of various methane emission requirements. Additionally, BP spent over $13m in 2018 to oppose carbon pricing regulation in the US state of Washington which would have placed a $15 fee on every ton of CO2 produced. This was despite public communications that BP supported either emissions trading or carbon taxes. As part of the company’s 2020 ambitions statement (Feb 2020), released under the current CEO Bernard Looney, BP has stated that it would advocate for policies that support net zero, including carbon pricing. In September 2020, BP formed a business coalition advocating East Coast states to enact the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a carbon pricing initiative targeting emissions from the transport sector. However, BP stated in its current ‘Carbon Pricing Principles’ that a carbon price should then limit future additional climate policies to correcting market failures.
On GHG emissions reduction policies, BP has a mixed engagement. The company has lobbied positively for methane emissions regulation, although with caveats: In 2019, BP advocated the US Environmental Protection Agency to retain federal methane regulations, however, added that methane emissions regulations must not place an unreasonable burden on companies or consumers. It is also worth noting that in 2017-2018, BP lobbied to weaken and repeal methane regulations in the US. Additionally, in May 2020, BP, in conjunction with a number of other companies including Shell and Total, submitted methane policy recommendations to the EU and advocated for government policy to regulate methane emissions. The recommendations suggested an intensity-based standard, rather than an absolute limit on emissions, and for compliance flexibilities.
BP’s lobbying on GHG emissions legislation predominately focuses on methane. However, in 2019, BP lobbied to oppose new GHG emissions reduction requirement added by the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority to the planning approval process.
Positioning on Energy Transition: BP has publicly offered support for a ‘rapid transition to a lower carbon future’ in 2020 and support for emerging low carbon technologies. In 2020, BP has supported letters written by the Energy Transition Commission and the Corporate Leaders Group to support investment into low carbon innovation in order to aid the “transition of fossil fuel industry”. However, this follows BP’s active lobbying for increased oil and gas development, including measures to facilitate increased development in 2017-2018. Furthermore, in 2019 the company lobbied the Trump Administration to allow oil and gas drilling in two previously protected areas of the Alaskan Artic. In 2020 BP has specified the world must focus on reducing emissions rather than addressing the energy mix specifically, suggesting BP’s preference is to rely on the development of potential future technologies to reduce fossil fuel emissions (e.g. CCS) rather than move away from fossil fuels in the energy mix. BP also continues to promote a long-term role for gas in the energy mix on its corporate website in 2020. BP does state the need for decarbonizing gas and methane regulations alongside, although without clear conditions and timelines attached.
Industry Association Governance: As part of the company’s 2020 ambitions statement (Feb 2020), BP stated it would set new expectations for relationships with trade associations, including being prepared to leave misaligned associations. In 2020, BP left American Fuels and Petroleum Manufacturers and the Western States Petroleum Association. BP also outlined its on-going engagement with five “partially aligned” associations (American Petroleum Institute, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, National Association of Manufacturers, US Chamber of Commerce, and Australian Institute of Petroleum). However still a member of these which continue with obstructive climate lobbying plus others negative groups it has judged to be aligned with including, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Business Council of Australia, and FuelsEurope.