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Unveiled at the UN Biodiversity Conference – or 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – the report examines how the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Niger Delta Panel, which operated from 2012-2016, continues to influence the company’s biodiversity policies and practices.

The second in a series of reports, explores the outcomes of the independent Panel’s evidence-based recommendations to SPDC.

The report documents how the Panel’s recommendations resulted in new company guidance, standards and partnerships.  For example, the Panel’s advice encouraged the company to develop a biodiversity conservation strategy, and strengthened its oil spill and emergency response approach, which led to a new remediation standard. 

The ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Niger Delta Panel also produced a report calling for the development of a biodiversity strategy for the region and spurred the company to publish new guidance on mangrove habitats, which has since been shared internationally.

“The collaboration with the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Niger Delta Panel experts showed that when faced with challenging environmental issues, companies can benefit from external, evidence-based advice,” says Chidube Nnene-Anochie, GM Safety and Environment of SPDC.

Composed of international and national scientific experts, the Panel worked from 2012 to 2016. During this period, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� acknowledges that it also learned many lessons as a result of facilitating this unprecedented project in an area often surrounded by environmental and political challenges. As a result, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� improved its risk capacity and procedures for managing independent scientific panels, as well as strengthened its expertise and relations with regional Members.       

“The ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Niger Delta Panel experience contributes to a proof of concept for the organisation,” says Stephen Edwards, who managed the Panel for ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��. “Independent scientific panels can help business and governments identify new approaches that can benefit people and nature.”

Note to editors:  The report was unveiled at a CBD side event, “Mainstreaming biodiversity in the oil and gas sector: good practices for biodiversity management.”