BP Refutes Greenpeace Statement

News Release
14 May 2002

BP Refutes Greenpeace Statement

Greenpeace is incorrect and unjustified in accusing BP of supporting anti-Kyoto Protocol interests in New Zealand

BP Managing Director Peter Griffiths said BP is, in fact, in favour of New Zealand ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and the reduction of greenhouse gases globally.

Greenpeace is also wrong in saying that BP belongs to the New Zealand Climate Change Pan Industry Group, Mr Griffiths said.

“We are not a member of this group. We were not consulted about the formation of the group, nor were we invited to join.”

However, BP is a Level 2 member of the NZ Greenhouse Policy Coalition, a group of companies that has led the climate change debate for New Zealand industry over the past eight years.

The Climate Change Pan Industry Group and Greenhouse Policy Coalition are two different groups.

BP is also a founding member of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development. As a council member BP is co-partnering the government in a programme to develop a Climate Change Industry Guide.

Mr Griffiths said BP is at the forefront of the climate change debate, and the first company to launch an international company carbon trading scheme which includes New Zealand.

BP Group Chief Executive Officer, Lord John Browne, recently announced that BP had reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent (80 million tonnes) from a 1990 baseline and, in the process, had created $US650 million in value.

In New Zealand, BP has also introduced solar power to 13 of its service stations, and launched a more environmentally-friendly petrol and a low sulphur diesel.

BP is to co-host with the government the New Zealand visit of renowned US Kyoto proponent Eileen Claussen next week.

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