Corporate Responsibility in Nepal
Protecting Biodiversity
Our exploration activities present a unique range of biodiversity challenges in each country in which we operate, which is why our strategy involves assessing the potential risk of each operation individually. We evaluate the importance and sensitivity of biodiversity through our Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and, where these are deemed to be significant, biodiversity management plans are put in place.
In Nepal, four of the exploration blocks originally contained important wildlife parks, reserves and conservation areas, but in accordance with our policy and Business Principles, we relinquished these areas.
Security and Risk Management
Our business risk management process enables us to systematically identify and evaluate any risks to the security of our personnel or our assets, and implement appropriate measures to remove or mitigate them. We also aim to develop supportive relationships with our local communities, which contribute to the protection of the Company’s people and assets.
Based on an assessment of the security situation, we lifted contractual force majeure on our acreage in Nepal in January 2010. Activities during the year were limited to geological fieldwork and we will continue to monitor the security situation before considering further field operations.
Other CR Issues
- There were no Recordable or Lost Time Injuries in Nepal during 2010.
- Our activities in Nepal generated 6 tonnes of CO2e from direct greenhouse gas emissions, 0.03 tonnes of indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity purchased, and 2 tonnes of indirect CO2e emissions from business travel.
- All members of staff received annual performance and career development reviews.
- Cairn provided £6,306 of funding for social investment projects in Nepal.