To BAP or not to BAP? Challenges and Opportunities in the Adoption of Biodiversity Actions Plans for the Oil and Gas Sector

Abstract While most companies are clear on the importance of biodiversity, it appears that only some companies are using Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). The flexibility in the use of BAPs, in particular the extent to which they are integrated as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and overall environmental management plan (EMP) processes, has made them less visible, and to some extent invisible, as a discrete tool. Indeed many companies could now be more accurately characterised as engaging in biodiversity action "planning" as part of their overall approach, without packaging this approach into a published or discrete plan. Many companies are still using stand-alone BAPs for local business reasons but the trend appears to be towards integrated biodiversity action planning. This is a positive development in terms of industry behaviour but it raises two issues. Firstly, it serves to emphasise the importance of environmental impact management scope – with clear guidance for biodiversity related issues – as the critical one for industry and industry watchers. Secondly it means industry watchers themselves; the external rating agencies, lenders and non-governmental organisation (NGO) communities, must avoid seeing a BAP itself as a measure of a project making full consideration of biodiversity concerns, and ensure that any evaluation of project performance is able to consider the full biodiversity action planning activities, whether presented as a BAP or not.