Introduction
At SOCAR, we acknowledge the importance of biodiversity conservation and the role we play in mitigation of the adverse impacts of climate change. As a leading energy company in the region, we are committed to integrating biodiversity considerations into our operations, projects, and decision-making processes to minimize the impact of our activities on biodiversity.
This Statement has been established based on SOCAR’s Statement on Environmental Protection Goals, which was approved by SOCAR’s Order No. 14-2/3-1İ-116/2024 dated July 5, 2024.
The Statement applies to all entities within SOCAR’s corporate structure. SOCAR believes that the measures outlined in the Statement will also be supported and adhered to by its partners, including suppliers and contractors.
Our commitments:
- ensuring compliance with all relevant national legislative documents, as well as relevant international standards and best practices related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development;
- conducting timely risk assessment and ensuring effective management of biodiversity risks associated with our operations, while taking actions to decrease and prevent adverse impacts on biodiversity;
- expanding our relations with the government, local and international partners, NGOs, local communities and other stakeholders including our contractors and suppliers to promote dialogue on biodiversity conservation;
- ensuring integration of biodiversity considerations into our operational plans, projects and commitments;
- avoid operational activities in areas (land and sea) rich in biodiversity or/and inhabited by vulnerable, endangered or threatened species of flora and fauna listed in the Red Book.
Actions:
- conducting biodiversity baseline studies and impact assessments for new projects to identify and appropriately manage any biodiversity related risks;
- developing and implementing biodiversity management plans for our operational sites and projects to protect and enhance biodiversity conservation;
- implementing measures to minimize environmental impacts caused by operations, reduce interference with traditional land use practices and lifestyles, and reclaim affected lands in accordance with the principles of sustainable management of natural resources and raw materials;
- carrying out continuous monitoring and evaluation of the impact on biodiversity and implementing actions to enhance our contribution to biodiversity conservation;
- providing training and capacity-building programs for our employees, contractors, and partners to raise awareness on biodiversity conservation and management;
- implementing habitat restoration initiatives to enhance biodiversity resilience;
- achieving no net deforestation by undertaking initiatives to preserve forest cover, prevent deforestation, and support forest restoration in areas where new activities are carried out;
- implementing greening measures and establishing new green areas to reduce environmental impact, support ecosystem health, lower carbon emissions and preserve ecological balance;
- implementing biodiversity offset measures to compensate for unavoidable impacts on biodiversity;
- establishing robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track our performance, including establishment of SOCAR’s indicators and targets regarding biodiversity, as well as report transparently on our progress annually.