The Role of Participatory Environmental and Social Monitoring in Preventing Social Conflict

Abstract

Abstract The Peru LNG Project is located in the southern region of Peru and is comprised of a natural gas transportation pipeline system that traverses the Andean mountains to a liquefaction plant and marine terminal located on the Pacific coast. The 408 km pipeline traverses many diverse landscapes and ecosystems from the edge of the tropical rainforests to the high peaks of the Andes and finally down to the arid desert coastline. As part of its Social Responsibility Program, the project has developed a Participatory Environmental and Social Monitoring Program (PESMP) to promote the active involvement of local stakeholders in the oversight of the performance of the Project. Local monitors have been trained to observe and register possible environmental and social impacts. Once trained, the monitors are able to understand the Project's complexity and communicate informed opinions. They have become integrated into the Project, with the ability to influence the decision-making process. This has built trust and strengthened relationships between the Company, monitors, and the communities they represent. The PESMP represents the first participatory monitoring program that has been carried out during the construction phase of a major oil and gas development project in Peru. The initiative has made a significant positive contribution to the social responsibility of the Company and has been well-received by the Project's affected communities. This paper describes the processes and activities undertaken during design and implementation of the PESMP, including the selection and training of the community monitors.