UN calls on BP to restate CSR pledge

The office of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) has called on BP to step up its "lagging" commitment to the initiative in the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The oil giant is signed up to the high-profile corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme, which requires firms to adhere to 10 principles regarding human rights, labour policy and environmental responsibility.

In particular, the principles require firms to take a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, promote environmental responsibility, and encourage the development of clean technology.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico appears to provide evidence that the company has not adhered to the principles and could undermine its credibility as a signatory to the compact.

Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, UNGC spokesman Matthias Stausberg admitted that BP had been disengaged from the group's discussion platforms during the past couple of years and delivered its 2009 annual report behind schedule.

However, he insisted the initiative would be keen to continue to work with BP as it attempts to resolve the crisis in the Gulf and restore its battered image, if it re-engages with the initiative.

"We would welcome the company's renewed engagement, which has been lagging in recent years," the UNGC said in a statement issued this week. "We strongly hope that the company will emerge from this disaster committed to becoming a force for environmental stewardship around the world."

However, BP has not yet reached a decision on whether or not it will remain in the scheme, and said it will not make a decision until the current crisis has subsided.

"We're one of the founding members and we do remain committed but I think it’s just a case of asking what role we can usefully play at a corporate level,” a spokesman said.

The UNGC is primarily a platform for discussion, rather than a watchdog, but signatories to the compact have been delisted or suspended for failing to provide annual updates on their CSR performance.

In the 10 years since the initiative began it has thrown out more than 13,000 signatories for repeated failure to report on their performance.