A social license to operate has often been deemed as ‘nice to have’ and not a factor which can derail a project particularly as it is not a regulatory requirement in many countries. Over the past decade, this idea has evolved where companies have made it mandatory for communities concerns to be included in their respective decision making processes. However, is the industry doing enough to demonstrate they are meeting the growing expectations of the communities and not just paying lip service to gain its social license? The session aims to provide insights on what defines social license to operate and how different approaches are taken to successfully manage the changing landscape of stakeholder’s expectations.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
From Social License to Privilege to Operate: Is the Gas Industry Meeting Communities Expectations?
Objectives
Examples of subject matters include
- Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for projects involving Indigenous Peoples
- Are project financing standards encouraging a win-win outcome for the industry and communities?
- Balancing social benefits and investors’ interests throughout the value chain
- Project financing requirements for social inclusion in projects
The new role of gas in a low carbon world
Objectives
This session will be structured as a panel on policy and regulatory issues that need to be solved to enable the natural gas industry to contribute to a decarbonizing world.
- Synergy with renewable and electricity and heat and the digitalization needed
- The role of natural gas fired power generation in a low carbon world
The moderator will introduce recent IGU committee-developed information and promote an open discussion about the role for natural gas in a low carbon economy and in supporting the uptake of renewable energy. This vision comprehends the functionality of natural gas as back-up or balancing energy source for intermittent renewable energy and the functionality of the gas grids for storage and transport of energy from renewable sources.
In this discussion we would invite governments; strategic consultancy companies, renewable and other energy industry associations; academic organizations; end user organizations (from consumers to industrial); NGO’s and TSO’s to provide their perspective and vision about the role of natural gas.
Examples of subject matters include
- Microgrids – Heat – New Gas Business models – Energy Mix – Energy Security – Carbon reduction – Flexibility – Load Profile – Seasonal Storage – Biomethane
- Power-to-gas
- Integrated energy systems
- Natural gas and renewable energy
The importance and role of methane emissions mitigation
Objectives
This session will focus on case studies demonstrating successful implementation of tools and practices to reduce methane emissions. These include current methods, tools and practices to successfully reduce methane emissions in the upstream, midstream, transmission, storage, LNG and distribution segments.
Examples of subject matters include
- Methane Detection – Technologies and Best Practices
- Methane Quantification – Technologies and Best Practices
- Methane Mitigation
- Policies and Practices
- Prioritization of sources
TECHNICAL & INNVOVATION CENTRE
Successful application of detection technology and methods for methane emissions quantification and reduction
Objectives
This session will focus on case studies demonstrating a variety of technologies implemented successfully to drive low cost methane emissions reductions in upstream, midstream, transmission, storage, LNG and distribution segments. Application of technology or methods to reduce uncertainty in the quantification of methane emissions. The session will also include case studies demonstrating the application of current technologies to reduce uncertainty in methane emissions measurement.
Examples of subject matters include
- Methane Detection – technology and best practices – economic value
- Efficacy of the method including sensitivity, accuracy and time parameters.
- Technologies can be successfully used to reduce uncertainty in methane emissions measurement
- Comparative analysis of methods or systems used to estimate and/or report methane emissions across different governmental jurisdictions
Using Corporate Social Initiative (CSI) to avoid conflict
Objectives
Corporate social initiative (CSI) is typically seen as efforts by companies to establish relationships with their stakeholders in areas of their operations. This normally includes financial support for community infrastructure, education and skills development, among others. However, there is much potential for CSI to be used as a risk management tool, which means that initiatives can be tailored to a project based on the risks identified and ensure sustainability of the initiatives. There is vast literature on CSI’s potential discussed by academics in the theoretical sense but not many examples by companies which have explored the innovative use of CSI to manage project risks. This session aims to highlight case studies by those who have used CSI to further improve their management of risks, and what are the lessons learned.
Examples of subject matters include
- Role of CSI in contributing to a project’s success
- Integrating CSI in risk management process
- CSI minimizing associated project costs
