Importance of CSR for more than six decades old, Santos Ltd is very profound in nature. The firm is the second-largest independent producer of oil and gas in the Australian continent. It is one of the most prominent organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, with a footprint across various countries. Santos majorly operates in Australia, Vietnam, Asia, Egypt, and others. Places, where Santos carry outs CSR activities, are also the ones where its operations are focused. It includes Cooper Basin in South Australia, GLNG in Queensland, Darwin LNG and acreage in the McArthur, Amadeus and Beetaloo basins in the Northern Territory, Western Australian Gas assets in Karratha, Western Australia, and PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea.
Santos’ approach to giving something back to the society comes from a commitment towards the establishment and maintenance of enduring and mutually beneficial relationships. The firm’s activities pertaining to CSR relies on five pillars, namely Environment and climate change, Regional communities, Training and education, Healthy living, and Indigenous. Santos’ CSR operations are in line with these pillars. Santos has spent over $200 million in the last decade, sustaining thousands of initiatives by community, government, and industry. It has been carried out by the means of funding major infrastructure, sponsorships, donations, scholarships and research grants.
Let us look at how Santos has embraced the role of Corporate Social Responsibility through its five pillars!
- Environment & Climate Change: Santos very well understands the impact of pursuing oil and gas exploration on the environment and climate change. It is committed to protecting the environment, and that is how CSR becomes an important step in that direction. Santos has launched and maintained various projects in the areas of community carbon abatement schemes, environmental research, and education, water preservation, land conservation, community clean-up and reforestation. Some of the noteworthy amongst them are: West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project, Right Whale Study, Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative, Ekka, and Significant Environmental (SEB) Fund.
- Regional Communities: Santos has a long history of supporting regional communities through employment, infrastructure development, joyful occasions, apart from supporting the regional team. The firm has achieved this through a consistent investment program, dedicated towards the development and growth of the communities living in close quarters to its assets. Santos invested USD 210 million in upgrading rural roads in Queensland, alongwith its partners in the GLNG project. The initiatives taken up by the firm are:
- Upgrading the GLNG Roads Infrastructure
- Sponsoring Mt Larcom Show
- Supporting the Innamincka Gymkhana & Motorkhana
- Aiding the Darwin Festival
- Training and Education: When we count the factors that have the most effect on a positive future, education comes second to none. Education can influence the way any society moves forward, and Santos has clear comprehension about it. The firm not only invests in educational institutions, but also helps budding talents to nurture their talent by providing scholarships. Some of the major initiatives of Santos in this area are:
- Development of Australian School of Petroleum
- Foundation Partner with the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus)
- Support to Monarto Zoo’s conservation and land management
- Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School
- Provision of University of Adelaide Scholarships
- Santos’ Professional ATSI Cadetship Program
- Healthy Living: One of the key pillars core to the Santos’ investment program is Healthy Living. The role of healthy living in ensuring a healthy community is paramount, and henceforth, Santos is dedicated in making certain that such programs are well funded. Santos supports major health programs such as:
- Santos Tour Down Under
- Oz Harvest
- Asthma Foundation SA
- Investing in regional hospitals
- Indigenous: The Australian energy pioneer is heavily invested in the growth of the indigenous people of Australia. It believes in working collaboratively with them. The company actively involves Aboriginal people while handling any potential cultural heritage risk as a consequence of its operations. Santos has been able to negotiate and implement more than 50 access agreements pertaining to the native title, cultural heritage and land rights across their onshore activities. Santos also run community investment programs, some of which are mentioned here:
- The Santos Indigenous Fund
- Operation Flinders
- Aboriginal Power Cup
- Intract Work Ready Program
All these CSR activities very clearly reflect Santos’ commitment towards enabling a better future for the society we live in. It is satisfying to know that the firm has not forsaken the Aboriginal people of Australia and has found ways to help them grow as well.
Some recent contributions from Santos towards ensuring better lifestyle and economy across Australia:
- The Santos Tour Down Under in 2017 introduced USD 57 million into the economy of South Australia
- Santos’ GLNG project provide $210 million for the upgradation of rural roads in Queensland region
- A support of $10 million towards employment of Indigenous people, training and educational activities
This goes beyond saying that Santos Ltd has taken its CSR operations up a notch with its consistent efforts towards the upliftment of the society. CSR teaches us to give back to the society, and Santos is doing it quite efficiently!