Companies and government continue to grapple with the challenge of building social licence in the communities in which they seek to operate, while host communities are feeling fatigued from consultation that isn’t delivering tangible or legacy benefits to the region.
All the while, the global energy transition is charging ahead. Australia is at risk of falling far behind our international competitors (let alone our own targets) if we are unable to effectively build and maintain true social licence to operate.
So, what can we do to build trusted relationships between industry, government and communities?
- Seek to understand your communities. It’s not enough to presume you know what they want. Ask them. Frequently. Established local businesses, Councils and members of the public will all have a view. That way when you create a benefit sharing agreement or communicate your project in a way that resonates and actually delivers value.
- Own your narrative. Be able to clearly communicate the benefits of the project and why the project is needed – now and into the future. Be upfront about the impacts and how, if possible, they can be mitigated.
- Know your stakeholders. Some will be noisy. Some will be interested. And some will be influential. Understand who matters to your project, as not all engagement can be equal.
- Engage early and often. Know when the right moment is to engage, and be honest and transparent about what can change through consultation and what cannot. Set clear expectations and always close the loop.
- Be curious. Don’t get complacent. Continue to ask stakeholders and communities about the project, their perceptions, their fears, their motivations and their preference as they are not static and will change over time. Measure, monitor and report on this frequently.
There are no shortcuts to building social licence for renewable projects. Outsourcing is easy but to actually build and sustain acceptance and support, it requires dedicated resources that deliver the above in a way that shows:
- Transparency – asking why not, not why
- Responsiveness – quick to act
- Competence – having the right skills
- Integrity – doing what’s right
- Humility – asking not telling.
