Our survey, open in March and April 2021, examined the concerns confronting the upstream energy industry and possible responses to securing and maintaining a social licence to operate.

 

This research project investigates the current issues and challenges and seeks to develop a baseline against which progress can be measured in future years. 

 

The report also acts as a starting point to consider actions required for the industry to improve its relationships with the communities in which it works, and to win support for its activities. 

 

The survey for this report was taken before some of the major upsets - such as ExxonMobil board changes -- but still demonstrates clear trends, with more readers than last year believing activists and subsequent social licence loss will seriously impact the industry.

 

Similar to last year the rise of activism, climate change and social media were ranked by industry respondents as frontrunning factors in increased community opposition to oil and gas development. 

 

Some findings were unexpected: despite the Juukan Gorge disaster heritage still rated low in terms of social licence compared to other concerns.

 

 

Click here to learn more.