Enhancing Social and Environmental Performance Through an Integrated Approach

Abstract

Abstract Water, biodiversity and ecosystem services, are often recognized and managed by oil and gas companies as environmental issues, while at the same time, they frequently have important social dimensions. A global review of practices among oil, gas, and mining companies revealed that while there is increasing recognition of the linkages between the social and environmental dimensions of many issues, and the benefits of applying a more integrated and holistic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, there is still limited evidence of integration taking place. A number of opportunities are identified for oil and gas companies to adopt a more integrated approach, particularly in the practice of environmental and social impact assessment and management, and in planning for strategic social investments where projects can be designed to achieve both environmental and social goals (e.g., community projects that use conservation incentive agreements; or freshwater conservation and water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects). A case study is presented on the implementation of Conservation Agreements (CAs) in Liberia. This work, conducted in partnership by Conservation International (CI) and Chevron, demonstrates some of the challenges and advantages of taking an integrated approach. Through implementation of CAs, CI and Chevron are working towards providing a variety of social benefits to local communities while incentivizing a reduction in pressure to the environment, namely mangrove destruction and sea turtle egg harvesting.