Creating Shared Value in the Extractive Industries

Nov. 30, 2012 | Written by

It is broadly accepted that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a necessary part of a company’s approach to business and contributes to long-term value for companies that continue to treat their employees well and “give back” to their neighbors. Yet, critics complain that, despite strongly voiced arguments to look through a “CSR lens,” the CSR community has failed to come up with a structured framework that helps managers to link non-core activities to financial performance in everyday decisions. Creating Shared Value, a concept popularized by Harvard’s Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, addresses this criticism head on. CSV expands on the idea of CSR to recognize that broader contributions to social and environmental welfare can also enhance corporate welfare. Porter and Kramer define shared value as “policies and operating practices that enhance the competitiveness of a company while simultaneously ...

Introduction to Equitable Origin – Webinar Series

Nov. 27, 2012 | Written by Equitable Origin

We are pleased to announce our Webinar Series schedule for the next few months. Join us for a brief introduction to the EO100™ Standard, our certificate trading and ecolabel system. The webinars last for 30-45 minutes, and include plenty of time to answer questions.

We are very proud that with the help and support of our stakeholders we are promoting higher standards in oil and gas exploration and production and that, with our certificate trading and ecolabel system, we will be able to directly recognize and incentivize responsible production practices as we redistribute value to the communities most affected by oil and gas production. To find out more, please register for a webinar here.

Stakeholder Consultation as a Core Principle

Nov. 16, 2012 | Written by Equitable Origin

Stakeholder consultation is one of the hallmarks of Equitable Origin’s approach to standard setting. Our history of local and regional consultations with a wide range of stakeholders – from local communities, indigenous groups and NGOs, to government representatives and private companies – is one of the strengths that defines our EO100™ Standard.

There are many important reasons to do consultation.  According to Soledad Milius, Equitable Origin’s Director of Standards, Governance and Accountability, a key reason was the desire to “gain legitimacy for the organization and the initiative.” A thorough and far-reaching consultation process helped “to make sure the standard is relevant to people impacted by negative social and environment practices, by allowing them to have a voice in determining what the standards are and what the expectations are for the companies operating in their territories,” she says.

Another important reason ...

Why Latin America?

Nov. 9, 2012 | Written by Equitable Origin

At Equitable Origin, our goal is to positively transform the global oil and gas industry, to ensure that biodiversity is protected and local communities benefit both economically and socially from oil and gas development. 

While our sights are set on the world, we are starting with Latin America, where a significant amount of new oil and gas development is taking place.  Many of these developments overlap with the rich and unique biodiversity of the region’s ecosystems, as well as the cultural heritage of its many indigenous communities.  While the level of development and democracy varies from country to country, Latin America is a mostly democratic region, with well-developed institutional systems and highly trained and capable human resources.  The combination of all these factors makes it an important region for us to begin to implement and test the E100™ Standard ...

Introduction to Know Your Resources

Oct. 24, 2012 | Written by Equitable Origin

Welcome to the first installment of Know Your Resources, the official blog of Equitable Origin.  In this forum, we will discuss issues related to energy, the environment, human rights and social innovation, as well as share our experiences and insights gained in the process of developing and implementing the EO100™ Standard. 

Equitable Origin is a social and environmental certification system for oil and gas exploration and production that seeks to promote higher transparency and greater accountability on the part of oil and gas producers.  The people behind Equitable Origin and the development of the EO100™ Standard are an amazingly diverse group of men and women from around the world, with decades of experience in both the public and private sector – in the field, in the lab, in the classroom and in the halls of government.  Through this blog, we will ...