We recognize the importance of protecting and promoting biodiversity, particularly in sensitive areas. In 2008, the company issued a biodiversity position in which we made a number of specific commitments designed to conserve biodiversity as part of our commitment to systematically reduce the effects of our activities on the environment.

We are continuously building our knowledge about the ecosystems in which we work and recently completed an internal study to benchmark our performance compared to other extractive-industry companies. To increase internal awareness about biodiversity, a knowledge-sharing intranet site has been launched to foster employee collaboration within ConocoPhillips in the areas of biodiversity and ecosystems. In 2008, we conducted industry benchmarking to explore better ways to collect and manage our biodiversity data. We are using a range of technologies, from improved animal tagging to streamlined databases. Employees are encouraged to ask questions about challenges they encounter in this area, and to share project ideas for technology development in the area of ecoystems and land use. The intranet site also provides such resources as global conferences and contacts to benefit its members.

We follow widely accepted guidelines from the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) in our approach to biodiversity conservation. As a member of the IPIECA biodiversity working group, we work to develop tools and materials to help companies across our industry enhance their biodiversity conservation activities. As a founding member of the OGP’s Sound and Marine Life program, we support continued research to increase scientific knowledge on the possible impact that sound produced by offshore exploration and production has on marine mammals, fish, turtles, seabirds, invertebrates and other marine life.