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Sinopec's Global Biodiversity Conservation Report

On October 29, 2026, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, commonly known as Sinopec, announced the release of its inaugural Global Biodiversity Conservation Report at the closing ceremony of the China Pavilion during the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity held in Yerevan, Armenia. This report marks a significant milestone for Sinopec as it aims to integrate biodiversity protection into its corporate governance, industrial operations, and international projects.

The report outlines Sinopec's comprehensive strategy to harmonize energy development with environmental conservation, emphasizing its commitment to international energy cooperation while mitigating the ecological impact of its operations. During the event, Zhong Ren, a director at Sinopec Group, articulated the company's dedication to balancing energy progress with the preservation of biodiversity. He highlighted various initiatives undertaken by Sinopec to foster wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and technological innovation.

Integration of Biodiversity Considerations

Sinopec has incorporated biodiversity considerations into its health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management framework. The report specifies the company's commitments to conservation practices during all stages of project development, including planning, construction, operation, and decommissioning. A significant achievement noted in the report is the removal of 992 oil wells, 112 gas wells, and 181 water wells, along with various production and storage facilities. These actions exemplify Sinopec's proactive environmental management efforts.

Habitat Restoration and Wildlife Protection

Significant projects highlight Sinopec's adaptability in promoting biodiversity through its industrial facilities. In Hubei Province, the company closed down 11 oil depots and 17 terminals along the Yangtze River. A notable transformation occurred at the Wangjiahe oil depot terminal, which has been reimagined as an observation and education center aimed at conserving the critically endangered Yangtze river dolphin. Similarly, at the Zhenhai refinery complex in Zhejiang Province, a protected habitat for herons has expanded from 2,200 to 15,000 square meters, housing approximately 4,000 birds. This initiative has included tracking the migratory patterns of these birds using the company's industrial installations. In Beijing, the Niukouyu wetland, formerly an industrial wastewater treatment plant, has been revitalized into a sanctuary supporting nearly 160 bird species.

Sinopec is also investing in cutting-edge technologies intended to lessen the environmental footprint of its operations. This includes China's first million-ton carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) demonstration project and the establishment of a facility capable of producing 60,000 metric tons of completely biodegradable materials annually, targeting plastic pollution in agricultural environments.

Global Conservation Efforts

The report highlights Sinopec's international conservation projects, including the establishment of wildlife migration corridors near drilling operations in Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park, where efforts have been made to reduce disturbances to elephants and lions. In Ecuador, the company has restored 2.4 million square meters of rainforest vegetation while monitoring over 800 species of flora and fauna. Along the Atlantic coastline of Angola, Sinopec has planted over 7,000 mangroves to aid in the restoration of coastal ecosystems. Additionally, a long-term sea turtle management program in Australia has employed acoustic tagging and satellite tracking to monitor 47 green turtles, forming the basis for actions aimed at reducing disturbances from maritime operations.

Looking ahead, Sinopec is committed to expanding international cooperation and enhancing biodiversity conservation across all its global operations. This report not only showcases Sinopec's achievements but also reflects the company's resolve to advocate for sustainable practices within the energy sector.

About Sinopec

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (HKG: 0386), known as Sinopec, is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China. Its operations encompass oil and gas exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals, fuel marketing and distribution, as well as research and development. Sinopec is also promoting low-carbon emission technologies and solutions. For more information, please visit Sinopec's official website.