Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility at Arrow Energy

Arrow Energy is an integrated coal seam gas (CSG) company based in Australia. With the vision to “be Australia’s most competitive and innovative onshore gas company”, Arrow Energy explores and develops gas fields, produces and sells coal seam gas and generates electricity. Along with designing a well-defined growth strategy, the firm has also acknowledged the importance of corporate social responsibility in its business agenda.

Understanding the importance of ‘sustainable development’, Arrow firmly believes that in the present times where the demand for cleaner energy is increasing day by day, it is extremely important to value people and the planet. Consequently, the firm integrates the principles of sustainable development in all their activities, starting with corporate decisions to biodiversity conservation.

The larger goal is to establish and maintain good relations with people in the communities where Arrow operates and create a fine balance between the economic, environmental and social aspects of their activities.

With a clear goal of transparency, Arrow Energy is sincerely committed to keeping people informed of their plans and activities. The questions and concerns raised by the people are taken into consideration. There are always better results with a genuine two-way communication process.

Let’s look at the CSR initiatives by the company to foster long-term, transparent and sustainable relationships with the communities in which the organization operates.

With respect to Environment Protection, the following steps have been taken:

• Erosion and Rehabilitation trial: The approach, in this case, is to stop erosion even before it begins. Arrow has invested substantially in research and development regarding sediment control. The observations and solutions are being applied where the soil is disturbed and results are also pertinent to farmers and councils.
• Fracking: With respect to hydraulic fracturing as an established technique, the fraccing fluids used by the company in the process do not contain benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene or xylenes (BTEX). This is in line with Queensland Government regulation. The handling, use, and disposal of fraccing fluids meet all health, safety and environmental management laws.
• Groundwater: Understanding the importance of groundwater for both agricultural and domestic use across Australia, Arrow pays considerable attention to this aspect. There are concerns in some communities about the effect of coal seam gas (CSG) drilling and production on water quality and supply.

Without an iota of doubt, Biological diversity provides significant cultural, economic, educational, environmental, scientific and social benefits. Thus, Arrow Energy has successfully incorporated biodiversity conservation principles in their operational practices. These principles include:

• Ensuring that Arrow’s infrastructure does not interfere with the classified regions of vegetation and animal habitat conservation
• Encouraging research and development for developing best practice for managing and utilizing coal seam gas water
• Designing fauna and flora base-lining at all of the sites to ensure infrastructure does not significantly impact protected areas or species
• Funding scholarship programs at local high schools to ensure environment and biodiversity principles are passed onto the posterity
• Initiating an invasive pest species management system
• Rehabilitating our operational areas, including surface erosion controls

With respect to building strong relationships with the indigenous communities, Arrow is committed to supporting better educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. In the year 2017, through collaboration with the leading Queensland universities, Arrow has offered scholarships valued at $5000 for part-time students and $10,000 for full-time students through the Arrow Energy Indigenous Scholarship.

These CSR initiatives by Arrow Energy reflect the firm’s sincere commitment towards the idea of ‘sustainable development’. With a well-defined CSR approach, the firm has established trust among its customers and has demonstrated that its not just profit but also the people and the planet that act as guiding motivation behind its activities.