* BP says API 'heading in the right direction'
* BP cites API progress on methane, carbon pricing
* Will review membership again next year
By Ron Bousso
LONDON, May 10 (Reuters) - BP said on Monday it will remain
a member of the American Petroleum Institute (API) after the
largest U.S. oil and gas trade lobby group addressed some
differences with the British energy company over climate change.
BP, which plans to sharply cut its oil output and
boost its renewable energy capacity over the next decade, said
in a report that despite "uneven progress", the API was "heading
in the right direction".
The API has faced growing pressure from member companies and
activist groups to change its policies relating to climate
change and drilling regulations.
The trade group started to shift some of its positions as
the climate-focused Biden administration came to power this
year. In March it said it supports a carbon price as one measure
to mitigate climate change risk.
BP said it was "encouraged" by the API's support for federal
regulation on limiting emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse
gas and its support for carbon pricing as well as improving its
transparency.
"API's progress has been uneven at times but, on the whole,
the organization has moved considerably over the past year and
is heading in the right direction," BP said in the report.
"We will continue to make our case – as members – to
influence API on climate and many other areas relevant to our
business in the US."
London-based BP, led by CEO Bernard Looney, last year quit
the main U.S. refining lobby and two other trade groups but
stuck with the API despite saying it was only "partially
aligned" with its policies.
BP will publish a comprehensive review of its membership of
the API and other associations next year.
France's Total in January became the first major
global energy company to quit the API due to disagreements over
its climate policies and support for easing drilling rules,
saying it would not renew its 2021 membership.
Total's stance put pressure on other European oil majors
that have set out strategies to sharply reduce carbon emissions.
Royal Dutch Shell also chose to extend its API
membership despite "some misalignment" with its climate stance.
BP's interim report also reviewed its participation in four
other associations which were partly aligned with its policies
including the Australian Institute of Petroleum and the Canadian
Association of Petroleum Producers.
BP said it was encouraged by progress made by all four
groups over their climate stances.
(Reporting by Ron Bousso;
Editing by Alexander Smith)
