Founded in 1986 as a direct action protest group, it has since developed into one of the world's most recognised technology and solution oriented, environmental champions with offices on two continents.

The Bellona Foundation is financed by industry, business, individuals as well as project oriented grants from philanthropic organisations and the Norwegian government.

StatoilHydro entered in 2005 into a three-year cooperation agreement with Bellona.

The purpose of the agreement is to foster an exchange of ideas on environmental challenges, environmental policy frameworks, and how StatoilHydro can improve its own environmental performance.

The cooperation is project-oriented and focuses especially on climate change and on petroleum exploration in arctic and northern areas.