Biodiversity Policy Engagement Analysis
Biodiversity Lobbying Overview: The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) appears to hold a broadly negative position on biodiversity policies. IOGP holds mixed positions in its top-line messaging and mostly negative positions in its engagement on biodiversity related regulations.
Top-line Messaging on Biodiversity Loss: IOGP has taken mixed positions in its top-line messaging. In a November 2020 consultation response, IOGP appeared to support the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the EU’s nature restoration targets, although it also appeared to emphasize the success of voluntary initiatives. In a December 2020 consultation response, IOGP advocated that extractive technologies had a positive impact on biodiversity, arguing that oil & gas infrastructure could create new habitats without discussing the impacts of offshore drilling on present ecosystems. Similarly, in its Marine Strategy Framework Directive consultation (in October 2021), IOGP appeared to support the directive but argued that “marine ecosystems have developed around much of the man-made infrastructure in European seas” and that “The future removal of this infrastructure put those ecosystems at risk”. Nevertheless, IOGP has expressed its support for the UN Convention of Biological Diversity, as seen in a May 2021 position statement.
Engagement with Biodiversity-Related Regulations: IOGP has engaged with multiple biodiversity-related regulations with mostly negative positions. In September 2023, IOGP wrote to the European Commission ahead of the trilogue negotiations on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), advocating to weaken the policy in several ways.
In its response to the EU Biodiversity Strategy in November 2020, IOGP appeared to support protected areas but argued that oil & gas infrastructure were safe to operate within them or Natura 2000 sites, which differs from the IPBES recommendations on protected areas.
IOGP expressed support for the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan on its corporate website accessed in May 2022, but argued in a February 2021 consultation response that the existing regulations were sufficient and specifically opposed further regulation on EU soil quality. In November 2022, IOGP submitted a consultation response to the European Commission on the Soil Health Law, not supporting EU wide legislation. Furthermore, in a November 2021 consultation, IOGP opposed stronger regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In a September 2020 consultation response, IOGP did not appear to fully agree with the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) proposal to restrict the use of intentionally added microplastics by arguing that there should be a lower limit and proposing a longer timeline for implementation. Lastly, in an October 2021 consultation response on protecting the marine environment, IOGP appeared to advocate against urgent action, arguing that data collection and discussions were still ongoing, for example on the definition of “significant oil spill”.