It looks like a perfect storm for public acceptance of natural gas in Western economies. The climate accord in Paris, the debate on the country of origin of gas, local anxiety over earthquakes, shale gas and gas infrastructure disruptions; and the image of the sector as an old-fashioned out of touch business. It is all hands on deck to define a role for natural gas in a sustainable energy future. That role is not only driven by what we want to be – affordable, available, acceptable — but very much so by how society believes gas contributes to the larger goals of sustainability and environmental care. The conversation with society will be central to our success. Is gas part of the problem, or part of the solution?
This session will investigate new and improved strategies and methods for public communication, social media outreach and stakeholder dialogue. Our premise is that the industry must find novel ways of stakeholder engagement. Ways that are more transparent, more open and more collaborative. Ways that promote dialogue and two-way communications. Ways that put the stakeholder’s goals central, makes listening a promise and is not afraid to communicate in question marks, not exclamation marks.
