Biodiversity Conservation as a Sustainable Development Tool for Zarubezhneft JSC

Environmental Responsibility as Part of the Development Strategy

Biodiversity conservation is becoming an integral part of the sustainable development strategy for large industrial companies. The transition from simple compliance with environmental regulations to proactive ecosystem protection demonstrates the maturity of corporate governance. During the webinar, Mikhail Bezumov, a representative of Zarubezhneft JSC, discusses the company's long-term experience in implementing biodiversity conservation programs in various regions of operation — from the Orenburg region to Kamchatka.

Practice of Implementing Biodiversity Conservation Programs

Using several key projects as examples, the speaker shows how systematic work is built to protect rare species and maintain ecosystems. An important milestone was the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2019, which marked the beginning of the company's comprehensive environmental initiatives.

Restoration of the Siberian Crane Population

One of the landmark projects was the program to support the Siberian crane population, implemented jointly with the Oka Nature Reserve and the All-Russian Research Institute of Environmental Protection (VNII Ekologiya). Over five years, large-scale work was carried out: from collecting eggs from the wild to raising and releasing chicks. The purchase of new equipment, feed, and veterinary drugs ensured a full cycle of preparing the birds for return to their natural habitat. The speaker notes that the monitoring of released individuals continues, which allows assessing the effectiveness of the measures taken.

Supporting Ecosystems in License Areas

The presentation details the experience of working in the company's territories of operation. Initially, the focus was on flagship species, such as the Bewick's swan and wild reindeer. However, monitoring using camera traps showed the need to adjust the programs. For example, it turned out that reindeer avoid areas with human presence, while moose, bears, and even wolverines actively explore the territories. The installation of biotechnical structures, such as rafts, shelters, and salt licks, made it possible to support not only individual species but the ecosystem as a whole.

Environmental Support for New Projects

Special attention is paid to the environmental support of new projects, particularly in Kamchatka, where the company is developing renewable energy sources. Conducting a background environmental assessment before starting work has become a standard. Cooperation with the local scientific community, including the Russian Geographical Society and the Pacific Institute, ensures the scientific validity of the measures and the openness of data for research.

Standardization of Environmental Processes

To systematize the work, an internal regulation on conducting background environmental assessments and subsequent environmental support was developed and approved in 2024. Now, when entering any new project, the company assesses the current state of the environment to guarantee the absence of negative impact and strive to improve the environmental situation.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to organize effective interaction with scientific institutes and nature reserves to implement environmental programs?
• What biotechnical measures are most effective for maintaining biodiversity at industrial facilities?
• How to use camera traps for monitoring and adjusting environmental initiatives?
• Why is conducting a background environmental assessment before starting work critically important for new projects?
• How to integrate biodiversity conservation programs into the company's overall sustainable development strategy?