Embedding human rights in business processes and building mutual respect, trust and confidence with local communities

Examples of member action

• TotalEnergies
• Suncor Energy
• SLB
• Eni
• Cenovus Energy
• Chevron
• GeoPark
• Tullow Oil

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  Free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in Tanzania

  Tanzania

  The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a company incorporated to construct and operate a cross-border oil pipeline that will transport oil from Tilenga and Kingfisher fields in Kabaale, Hoima district in Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. TotalEnergies is a shareholder of EACOP. Stakeholder engagement is a key activity for this project and quarterly meetings are organised by the dedicated teams both in Uganda and in Tanzania. These meetings are held in districts crossed by the pipeline in order to get feedback/questions from communities and local authorities regarding EACOP activities.

  EACOP prioritises and works proactively towards the respect of the rights of vulnerable ethnic groups self identifying as Indigenous Peoples affected by the project – the Maasai, Akie, Barbaig and Taturu - including the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) where applicable under International Finance Corporation performance standards. In this context, the traditional leaders and EACOP signed the EACOP Plan for vulnerable ethnic groups self-identifying as Indigenous. EACOP also signed a FPIC agreement with the leaders of the Akie community, the first of this kind in Tanzania in July 2022. Another FPIC agreement was signed with the Taturu community in March 2023.

  Learn more (p.18)

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  Reclamation Engagement Focus Group

  Canada

  Suncor Energy’s Reclamation Engagement Focus Group (REFG) is a collaborative group that brings together traditional land users, knowledge holders, Indigenous youth, and Suncor personnel to guide land reclamation at the company’s Syncrude oil sands mine. The REFG ensures that Indigenous perspectives, traditional knowledge, and feedback are fully integrated into reclamation efforts.

  The REFG provides a safe, open space for collaboration, allowing members to share valuable knowledge, build relationships, and shape reclamation decisions. Through this multi-stakeholder engagement, the group incorporates traditional knowledge to restore the land in ways that support traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and medicinal plant harvesting. The active participation of First Nations and Métis communities ensures that the reclaimed lands align with the needs of the local Indigenous communities.

  This initiative prioritises transparent dialogue and engagement between industry and Indigenous communities. By fostering mutual trust, shared goodwill, and meaningful long-term collaboration, the REFG and Suncor support shared value creation, sustainable land stewardship, and reconciliation, ensuring that the reclaimed lands are not just restored but also usable and valued by the local Indigenous communities for generations to come.

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  Embedding international principles and standards in business

  Global

  SLB is committed to conducting business in a manner that preserves and respects human dignity. The company respects the principles in the International Bill of Human Rights that address community impacts, supply chain management and employment practice.

  SLB recognises the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which are reflected in its SLB Code of Conduct and policies and procedures.

  The SLB Code of Conduct applies to all employees and contractors. It summarises the company’s commitment to business ethics and human rights, particularly:

  • Embracing diversity and equality
  • Complying with immigration and employment law
  • Working safely and protecting the environment
  • A zero tolerance for corruption and bribery
  • Confidential reporting of concerns or violations

  SLB has also embedded human rights due diligence in its facilities, supply chain, and conflict-affected and high-risk areas:

  • >10K employees certified in Intro to Human Rights
  • >28K employees certified in Working Conditions Requirements
  • >11K employees have taken Ipieca/Building Responsibly online labour rights modules
  • >95% of the workforce in Australia and Canada are certified in indigenous communities awareness
  • SLB facilities - over 100 self-audits to date
  • Supply chain - over 1000 suppliers engaged to date via self-assessments, SLB audits, and third-party audits

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  Caring for Country: protecting local culture and respecting the environment

  Australia

  The Blacktip gas field, located in the Australian offshore Bonaparte basin, has been part of Eni's 'Caring for Country' project since 2006. The project is within the Aboriginal territory governed by the Northern Land Council. Throughout project development, extensive surveys and consultation were undertaken with the Traditional Owners to determine cultural heritage values that need to be protected and conditions for the long term use of the land for the Blacktip Project.

  Eni talked with the local Indigenous community right from the planning and construction phases of the project, and continues to have dialogue to protect the local environmental and cultural heritage values and understand their profound sense of belonging to their land.

  In line with goals 3, 14, 15, and 17 Eni supports access to health care for the Indigenous community in the Northern Territory (Goal 3), provides training and capacity development for the protection of local underwater biodiversity (Goal 14) and terrestrial diversity (Goal 15), and also socio-economic development of the local community (Goal 17).

  Eni continues to support the Caring for Country project, working in partnership and collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the Australian government, the Northern Land Council and the Thamarrurr Development Corporation (TDC).

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  Indigenous Housing Initiative

  Canada

  After listening to Indigenous nations about their concerns and priorities, Cenovus created the Indigenous Housing Initiative, the largest community investment in the company’s history. This initiative addresses the pressing issue of inadequate housing faced by many Indigenous communities in Canada, where overcrowded and unsafe living conditions are prevalent.

  Launched in January 2020, the programme has invested more than CAD 40 million to fund the construction of over 160 homes across six First Nations and Métis communities closest to Cenovus’s Foster Creek and Christina Lake oil sands operations. The participating communities are:

  • Beaver Lake Cree Nation
  • Chard Métis Nation
  • Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation
  • Cold Lake First Nations
  • Conklin Métis (Local 193)
  • Heart Lake First Nation

  The initiative aims to improve housing conditions, reduce housing shortages, and provide homes to families in need. In addition to providing financial support for housing, Cenovus also offers expertise, including negotiating supply rates and lending technical knowledge from their own construction projects.

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  Addressing grievances in Bangladesh

  Bangladesh

  Bangladesh began managing community grievances when onshore seismic activities were taking place under Chevron Bangladesh Blocks Thirteen and Fourteen, Ltd. The process was subsequently expanded for use with communities surrounding additional operational areas and over the years has been enhanced based on continuous learning, a key attribute of rights-respecting mechanisms.

  The team has established a cross-functional grievance resolution committee, comprising internal stakeholders across multiple areas, including operations, health and safety, security, and community engagement. This team has assessed, reviewed and addressed more than 50 grievances since their creation in 2016. The types of grievances lodged have included impacts of security lighting and water discharge, among others.

  For example, when the grievance related to security lighting was introduced, a review revealed that the intensity of the security lighting may have been one of the contributing hindrances to the ability for some crops located very close to the fence to complete the process of photosynthesis. To contribute to remediation, the angle of the lighting was changed and the intensity of the lighting reduced.

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  Cuentame grievance mechanisms

  Colombia, Ecuador

  Proactive, open and honest relations with its neighbours are of key importance both to the GeoPark’s ethos and to smooth operations, and a key part of GeoPark’s community engagement strategy is its Cuentame grievance mechanism. Meaning ‘Tell me About It’ in Spanish, Cuentame has a network of local offices, supported by telephone hotlines and email contact to engage with local communities in 10 of GeoPark’s blocks in Colombia and Ecuador.

  Neighbours are invited and encouraged to ask questions, raise complaints and seek redress on any matter, which GeoPark investigates and responds to through a process validated and enhanced by independent Human Rights specialists. The system is confidential and efficient (replies are given within 2 weeks) and its effectiveness is shown not only in data – 476 of the 511 grievances received in 2022 were resolved; a success rate of over 93% and an all-time Cuentame record – but also in bringing the company closer to its neighbours and giving real and tangible evidence that all people matter, and the company listens.

  The social license that Cuentame helps to create is critically important to meeting the highest global standards in sustainability, transparency and Human Rights practices and policies to which GeoPark strictly adheres, and supports the company in its existing areas of operation and the new areas it moves into.

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  Engagement with local communities and stakeholder groups

  Ghana, Kenya

  Tullow Oil emphasises stakeholder engagement in its operations, led by social performance teams in host countries. This approach allows Tullow to understand local community needs and concerns, fostering open dialogue and partnership to support its social license to operate and deliver Shared Prosperity.

  In Ghana, Tullow engages with over 115 communities around its Jubilee and TEN operations, conducting participatory consultations mandated by local authorities. Meetings with various stakeholders, including government agencies and local fishing communities, address topics such as security transitions, ensuring positive acceptance of changes.

  In Kenya, Tullow awaits public hearings on its Upstream Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for oilfield development. It conducts outreach to affected communities and authorities, addressing concerns about land acquisition and commitments related to resettlement. Tullow also builds relationships with newly elected officials to align project progress with regional priorities.

  Overall, Tullow's commitment to listening, sharing, and facilitating dialogue underscores its dedication to understanding and addressing the needs and aspirations of both local governments and communities, aiming to benefit all stakeholders while advancing Shared Prosperity.

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