Sustainability and Petroleum Extraction: Corporate and Community Perspectives

Sustainability and Petroleum Extraction: Corporate and Community Perspectives in Northern Norway and the Russian Arctic

Project Summary

Many players involved in petroleum (oil and gas) exploration and extraction focus on the importance of social and environmental sustainability, as key elements of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Yet there is a lack of common understanding of what CSR and sustainability mean among corporations, local community sectors, NGOs, and academics.

This project aims to identify and reconcile differences in perceptions and practices of CSR in Northern Norway and Arctic Russia, providing a baseline for cross-border dialogue and collaboration amongst players related to petroleum extraction. New knowledge is generated through analysing original case studies in Norway and Russia. We are visiting Hammerfest, Nenets, Murmansk, and Komi.

Quantitative local value creation analyses are used to determine what petroleum does and does not do for the local economy. Qualitative interviews are used to examine the views, interests, and economic realities of corporations, academics, NGOs, and different community sectors: local population, local government, and local businesses.

The research results will be disseminated to the communities, local governments, companies, and research institutions through popular science and academic publications and presentations as well as through local media. The aim is to create the foundation for an ongoing dialogue and enhanced collaboration between sectors and regions.

Key Project Information

Dates: 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015

Principal Investigator: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)

Partners: University College London  |  Menon  |  International Institute for Environment and Development  |  Sigra Group  |  Sampo Energy and Environment Research Institute of World

Location: Norway and Russia

Funding: Research Council of Norway

Contact: i.kelman@ucl.ac.uk

Website: csroil.org

Research Team

Ilan Kelman, University College London and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Julia S P Loe, Menon

Daniel Fjærtoft, Sigra Group

Dr. Elena Nikitina, Sampo Energy and Environment Research

Dr. Nina Poussenkova, Sampo Energy and Environment Research

Elana Wilson Rowe, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Emma Wilson, International Institute for Environment and Development