We recognize the special relationship indigenous people have with the land and natural environment. Further, we respect their unique knowledge in managing their local environment and conserving biodiversity. While assessing the impact of our operations, we actively seek to learn from the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities as we work with them to develop mitigation strategies to any potential environmental impacts.

In many cases, where environmental monitoring or restorations are part of our action plans, we involve members of the indigenous communities in those efforts. For example, Potter Marsh, located within the Anchorage Wildlife Coastal Refuge, is one of ConocoPhillips’ signature SPIRIT of Conservation programs in Alaska. Recent project activities include habitat enhancement for migratory birds and fish, increased public access to wildlife resources, and educational outreach. ConocoPhillips has invested more than $2 million in Potter Marsh and has worked collaboratively with regulatory agencies and environmental non-profit organizations to advance the project. 

Additionally, we collaborate with the University of St. Andrews on the annual St. Andrews Prize for the Environment, which recognizes significant contributions to environmental conservation. Since its launch in 1998, it has attracted entries from more than 50 countries each year on diverse topics, including sustainable development in the Amazon rainforest, urban regeneration, recycling, health and water issues, and renewable energy. The project that took top honors in 2009 meets the needs of Himalayan villagers through the development of a lightweight, low-cost and portable solar-powered cooker made from traditional nomadic tent material and locally sourced bamboo. Modules that can be detached from the cooker provide sources for heating and thermo-electricity generation. According to Catlin Powers, representative for the winning project, the cash prize of $75,000 will support the first large-scale field test and production trial involving 20 Chinese communities.