4 minute read
FOREWORD
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL MOBILITY
“Social mobility is not just about helping someone through their early career. It’s also about breaking cycles of deprivation that can have a major impact on the course of someone’s life.”
GRAEME MARI-ALLAN, SENIOR WELL INTERVENTIONS ENGINEER AT BP
WHAT IS IT?
“Social mobility is the link between a person’s occupation or income and their parents’ occupation or income. Where there is a strong link, there is a lower level of social mobility. Where there is a weak link, there is a higher level of social mobility. This means that people born into low-income families, regardless of their talent, or hard work, do not have the same access to opportunities as those born into more privileged circumstances.”
AS DEFINED BY THE SOCIAL MOBILITY COMMISSION
Social mobility is about ensuring someone’s background is not a limitation. It is about levelling the playing field so that everyone has a chance to go as far as their hard work, dedication and talent can take them.
Graeme grew up in a low-income family in the east end of Glasgow, which was greatly affected by the closure of the city’s industries in the 1980s. He was the only pupil in his year at secondary school to go to university.
©BP
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Income inequality has increased over the past three decades in most advanced and some emerging economies, and when inequality grows, social mobility slows.4, 5
According to the UN, “inequality is growing for more than 70 per cent of the global population, exacerbating the risks of divisions in society and hampering economic and social development.” 6
Any society with high social mobility is a fairer society – and typically more prosperous, productive, and healthier.
“It matters what people have to offer. It matters what thoughts they have. It matters what ideas they have, or how they can approach something differently. It doesn’t matter where you grew up, where you studied, how wealthy your parents were or were not. They may be important things to hold onto as individuals and sustain as memories, but they should never influence career progression.”
DUSHYANT SHARMA, TRANSFORMATION LEAD NORTH SEA AT BP
Dushyant joined BP in 2009 and has held leadership positions in the areas of Digital, Performance and Process Improvement, across central teams and the North Sea region. He is passionate about people development and believes in diversity, equity and inclusion being an important part of business.
BP’S JOURNEY: HARNESSING THE ENERGY TRANSITION
ABOUT BP
BP HAS BEEN BASED IN THE UK FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
As one of the largest oil and gas producers in the UK, BP intends to continue investing in North Sea oil and gas, while driving down operational emissions. BP is also in action on a range of lower carbon energy investments in the UK, which are expected to bring jobs and develop new skills and capabilities.
In 2020, BP set out a new purpose – to reimagine energy for people and the planet – and an ambition to be a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, as well as helping the world reach net zero. Ten aims support this net zero ambition, with a further five to help improve people’s lives and five to care for the planet.7
Engaging stakeholders
Our values and foundations
Embedding into our DNA Building on this purpose, BP set out a strategy that is enabling it to transform from an international oil company focused on producing resources to an integrated energy company focused on delivering solutions for customers.
But for the energy transition to succeed it must deliver decent work, quality jobs and support the livelihoods of local communities. It must also advance greater equity – providing fair treatment according to everyone’s different needs and situations.
It is BP’s strategy, combined with a commitment to a just transition and greater equity, that collectively supports the ambitions of the Levelling Up Goals.
LEVELLING UP GOAL 13 – TO HARNESS THE ENERGY TRANSITION
With this, Kerry Dryburgh BP’s EVP for People & Culture has specifically been championing Goal 13 of the Levelling Up Goals, which focuses on harnessing the energy transition in a way that is fair and creates career opportunities across the UK.
The energy transition will become an ever more important part of the debate on levelling up. Green economic investment is already creating new specialisms, careers and opportunities within the UK and beyond, which will support BP’s focus on an equitable transition for people and communities everywhere.
©BP
“People are our foundation – attracting and retaining people with different life experiences enriches us all and is the best way we can successfully transition to a thriving low carbon economy.”
LOUISE KINGHAM
