FPIC-360° Tool for Monitoring and Verifying Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

Equitable Origin and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials are delighted to have received replication grant funding from the ISEAL Innovation Fund to continue the development of the FPIC-360° tool for monitoring and verifying Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC.) FPIC is a principle that informs the right to consultation and is enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the…

EO Presents New FPIC-360° Tool at the World Bank/ EO presenta una nueva herramienta, FPIC-360°, en el Banco Mundial

For more information about our FPIC work, click here. Para español, ver más abajo. Equitable Origin staff Soledad Mills and Emma Hague attended the World Bank Land & Poverty conference at the end of March 2019, where EO was invited to present a poster and a masterclass on our FPIC-360° Tool for Monitoring and Verification. The conference…

Mapping the Renewable Energy Sector to the Sustainable Development Goals

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, Equitable Origin and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network have published, “Mapping the Renewable Energy Sector to the Sustainable Development Goals: An Atlas,” a consultative draft on the opportunities for the renewable energy sector to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals…

Indigenous Voices: Ecuador – Zamora Chinchipe Province

Last year, we launched a series of blogs featuring voices from the field, profiling indigenous participants in the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) workshops we held in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador between October 2017 and February 2018 in conjunction with COICA, the Coordinator of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin. For more information about our FPIC…

Indigenous Voices: Ecuador

Last month, we launched a series of blogs featuring voices from the field, profiling indigenous participants in the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) workshops we held in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador between October 2017 and February 2018 in conjunction with COICA, the Coordinator of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin. For more information about our FPIC…

Indigenous Voices: Colombia

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are launching a series of blogs featuring voices from the field, profiling indigenous participants in the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) workshops we held in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador between October 2017 and February 2018 in conjunction with COICA, the Coordinator of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon Basin. For…

Renewable Energy and Responsible Sourcing

For some industries, supply chain management has been a feature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability programmes for decades. Early in the CSR movement, labour issues were brought to light in the apparel and textile sectors leading to a proliferation of standards and extensive auditing programmes initiated by consumer-facing firms. Other products’ supply chains…

The Business Case for Community Engagement: Getting Prior Consultation Right in Mexico

Join us for a Forum in Mexico City on Tuesday, October 9th where speakers from the public and prviate sector and from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will discuss the regulatory landscape and operational challenges associated with prior consulation and consent in Mexico. Mexico’s energy reforms may have opened important opportunities for global energy companies. But mastering…

Renewable Energy: an inexhaustible resource, who will assume the externalities?

Para español, ver abajo. As the Right Energy Partnership was launched at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York this week, we invited our Ecuadorean colleague, Pablo Yépez, to share his thoughts about renewable energy.  The Right Energy Partnership is a unique collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and other…

Can Renewable Energy Deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

In September 2015, the UN member states agreed to a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which represent the global agenda for equitable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable economic development through 2030. Since their launch, companies across many sectors have been trying to figure out how to align the SDGs with their sustainability programs and in some cases,…

Equitable Origin Signs MoU with Bettercoal

London, 27 June 2018 – Bettercoal and Equitable Origin have today signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge an active and mutually beneficial relationship between the two organisations to identify and to develop opportunities including but not limited to the harmonization of standards; to share knowledge and expertise on standard-setting and assurance; to…

A Masterclass on Free, Prior and Informed Consent at the ISEAL Sustainability Standards Conference

Equitable Origin researcher Emma Hague and Aurea Nardelli from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) facilitated a masterclass entitled “FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) – improving verification on the ground” at the ISEAL Alliance’s 9th Annual Conference, which took place in Sao Paolo, Brazil, from 22nd – 23rd May. The right to FPIC is a key principle of international…

Community Engagement and Renewable Energy

Para español, ver más abajo. EO organized a workshop in Muna, in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, to train indigenous representatives on social and environmental impact assessments; Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); and Human Rights. The training was conducted in partnership with the Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA), and included the participation of…

The EO100™ Standard: A Framework for Social Impact Assessments in Mexico

Para español, ver más abajo. With the objective of sharing international experiences in social impact assessments (SIAs), community consultations and Human Rights protection, EO and ANUIES, the National Association of Universities, initiated a new cycle of trainings geared towards applying the EO100TM Standard as a framework for SIAs in Mexico, with the support of the…

Rethinking Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)

In February and March 2018, Equitable Origin (EO), in collaboration with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and the Coordinating Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin (COICA) conducted the second and third workshops in a series of three workshops about Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as part of a project funded by…

EO to Expand Social Impact Assessment Training Program in Mexico

Para español, ver más abajo During 2017, EO implemented a series of six trainings on social impact at local Autonomous universities in Mexico in partnership with the National Association of Universities, ANUIES. The trainings included developing a curriculum on social and environmental performance monitoring and management. These first trainings were delivered at the Autonomous Universities of…

Cardno Becomes EO’s Newest Qualified Implementation Consultant

We are thrilled to welcome the newest (and largest) member of our Qualified Implementation Consultant network, Cardno. Cardno provides social, environmental and engineering services for the improvement and delivery of sustainable infrastructure in local and international communities. Cardno has over 60 years of experience working in partnership with developing countries to deliver solutions for sustainable…

Creating Shared Value in the Energy Sector

In light of next week’s Shared Value Leadership Summit in New York, we thought we’d revisit the concept of Creating Shared Value and how it applies to the energy sector. Since we first explored this topic almost five years ago, much has evolved in our sector. Opportunities for and examples of creating shared value have…

Fracking, Toxics and Disclosure

The following is a guest blog by EO Technical Committee member, T. Robert Fetter, who conducted a research project as part of the work on responsible shale development supported by Viridian Energy’s Simply Right Natural Gas Fund. Overview In emerging technologies where stakeholders express concern about potential external damages, but the extent of those damages…

Wind Power Siting and Communities: How to avoid a Standing Rock situation

EO’s CEO, Soledad Mills’ article, ‘Wind Power Siting and Communities: How to avoid a Standing Rock situation‘, published in the January/February edition of North American Clean Energy magazine, explains how clean energy companies can take steps to ensure they obtain and maintain a social license to operate through effective community engagement and consultation based on international…

EO Awarded Grant from the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant from the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA) to develop and deploy a training curriculum for social and environmental impact assessment based on the EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy Development in collaboration with academic institutions in Mexico. As a result of Mexico’s…

EO Partners with the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment

We are pleased to announce today that we have established a partnership with the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder. The partnership will help us expand our work in the U.S. and enhance our programs with the renowned scholarship and advocacy of the…

Getting Back to Our Roots: EO’s David Poritz and Paul Sorensen Visit Ecuador

EO’s Co-Founder and President, David Poritz, and founding Board member, Paul Sorensen visited Ecuador last month and met with fellow Board member, Juan Carlos Jintiach, a member of the Shuar and representative of Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon region and his colleague, Enrique Salazar; EO Co-Founder, Manuel Pallares and his wife, Cristina Latorre; and former Secretary…

EO and the U.S. Green Building Council Join Forces to Drive Sustainable Development

Energy infrastructure can have a significant environmental and social footprint and lead to landscape-level impacts, even while serving as a necessary development pathway. Voluntary standards and rating systems are recognized as some of the most effective tools to drive innovation in sustainable development. The proliferation of quality programs provides an opportunity for systems to work…

How can we promote responsible energy development? We need your input!

How can we ensure that energy development works for the people and the planet? How can we improve outcomes for local communities and ensure they can share the benefits of development? How can we ensure development activities minimize negative impacts on the environment? We need your feedback on the EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy Development…

EO Announces New Partnership with Global Infrastructure Basel

EO Announces New Partnership with Global Infrastructure Basel: Expansion of Positive Impact and Raise Global Standards for Responsible Energy and Infrastructure Development Practices While Equitable Origin (EO) works to raise the bar for social and environmental practices by energy developers, the Switzerland-based foundation Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) pursues a parallel mission of promoting responsible and…

The Importance of Community Engagement in Renewables: A Tale of Two Wind Farms in Kenya

Community engagement: the common factor that can determine whether an energy project will come to fruition or be stopped in its tracks by local opposition. As we have seen in New England, Mexico, Kenya, and many other places around the world, engaging with local communities before, during, and after the energy development process can save projects from failure.

Elevating Indigenous Voices in Debates Over Energy Development on Their Lands

In early February a 40-year old pipeline that is Peru’s main conduit for crude oil ruptured, spilling 3,000 barrels of oil in the Amazon rain forest and polluting two rivers. Several indigenous communities depend on the affected waterways, and their contamination poses a serious threat to those communities’ health and well-being.

Governors’ Pledge to Support Renewables will Accelerate Clean Energy Boom and Increase Risk of Social Conflict in the U.S.

In a time of intense partisan animosity in the U.S., a bipartisan group of governors from 17 states has found common ground in renewable energy. In an accord, signed on February 16, the governors pledged to accelerate their efforts to create a green economy in the U.S. by boosting renewables, building better electricity grids and cutting emissions from transportation.

EO’s Latin America Director Reflects on the Region’s Energy Future in Industry Magazine Colombia Energía

On a planet of over seven billion people, there is an insatiable demand for energy. Latin America, and developing countries in general, though rich in energy resources, have the least access to energy and experience the most devastating impacts of climate change. They have consequently found themselves in the dilemma of balancing energy security with social equality while mitigating the environmental effects of energy production and global warming.

Executive Summary: Defining and Addressing Community Opposition to Wind Development in Oaxaca

Since Mexico opened its energy resources to foreign development and investment, wind energy development in the southern state of Oaxaca has boomed, buoyed by the federal government’s goal to triple its wind capacity by 2018.

Equitable Origin 2015 Assurance Report

Information sharing with all stakeholders is a top priority for EO. Just as we seek to bring greater transparency to the energy industry, we are dedicated to making our own organization’s systems and operations transparent as well. The sharing of such information with stakeholders is generally known as “assurance.”

Advancing COP21’s Climate Vision with Verified-Responsible Renewable Energy in Mexico and Around the World

Before the COP21 climate summit officially kicked off on November 30th, renewable energy had already received a major boost. The previous day, a group of billionaires led by Bill Gates used the occasion of COP21 to announce the formation of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, an initiative to “invest early, broadly, boldly, and wisely” in clean energy research and technical innovation to speed the transition to a no-carbon future.

The Origins of Equitable Origin: Watch the Film, Contribute to the Mission

In many ways, Equitable Origin began in a middle school classroom in Amherst, Massachusetts in 2001. That’s the place and time that, at the age of 14, EO President and Co-Founder David Poritz began to discover his passion for defending the people and nature of the Amazon jungle. You can read a brief version of the rest of the story…or you can experience it in your own home.

EO President Explains Value of Voluntary Standards for Risk Reduction in New Mexican Energy Sector at PEMEX Conference

Mexico is in the midst of a historic turning point for its energy industry. Over the last three years, major reforms have opened up the Mexican energy landscape to foreign development and investment more completely than at any time in the last seven decades. As a result, an estimated $220 billion in investment opportunities are available in the newly-liberalized private energy sector.

Groundbreaking EO-Organized Forum in Lima Sparks Dialogue for More Equitable Energy Development on Indigenous Lands in Peru

Last week, EO co-hosted a first-of-its kind event in Lima in what we hope will prove to be the first step on a new path for responsible and inclusive energy development in the indigenous territories of Peru.

VIDEO: Director of Shale Programs Talks Responsible Natural Gas Development with Viridian Energy

In September, EO earned a valuable source of support for its work on natural gas development in the U.S. in the form of a $25,000 grant from responsible energy retailer Viridian Energy. As a recipient of Viridian’s Simply Right Natural Gas Fund, EO is honored to join a group of organizations dedicated to clear and pragmatic approaches to improving social and environmental practices in natural gas development.

Startup Innovation, Environmental Economics are Central Themes of EO President’s Swing Through Nebraska

“The world has changed: corporate executives in the energy industry now know that community buy-in is critical to the life and success of development projects,” EO President and Co-Founder explained to an energetic audience at Lincoln Startup Week in Lincoln, Nebraska last week.

EO Leadership Visits EO-Certified Site in Colombia to Oversee Verification Audit

In September of last year, EO announced a major milestone: the first-ever certification of an energy development site under the EO100 Standard.

EO and Indigenous Group to Host Historic Forum for Responsible Oil and Gas Development in Peru

Dennis Bodenchuk is the Geology Branch Chief at the Division of Energy and Mineral Development within the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Office of Indian Energy and Economic development in Denver, Colorado. A trained geologist with over 30 years of experience in energy development in the United States, Mr. Bodenchuk supervises the Division’s work to assist Tribes and Allottees in the responsible development of their energy and mineral resources.

Viridian Energy Grants $25,000 to EO for Shale Standards Development

Equitable Origin marked an exciting milestone in the organization’s growth today with the announcement that it has received a $25,000 grant from Viridian Energy to expand its work on standards for responsible natural gas development.

Certified-Responsible Renewable Energy: Good for the World, Good for the Neighborhood

Climate change is the most urgent challenge facing modern civilization. Since the vast majority of climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions come from energy—specifically burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation—shifting to low- and no-carbon renewable energy sources is a crucial strategy to curb climate change and avoid global catastrophe.

EO is Hiring: Program Coordinator

If you or someone you know are interested in joining our New York City team, now’s your chance!

We are currently hiring a Program Coordinator to support a variety of Equitable Origin systems and activities.

EO Framework Attracts Attention of International Development Scholars

EO’s model for responsible energy production and our work with communities and companies, particularly in Latin America, has led to increasing recognition from various academics. Our pioneering work in the Amazon Basin during the organization’s early years offers unique insights and lessons for academics and researchers interested in local communities’ experiences with extractive industries in the region.

Talking Fracking’s Water Risks with the Shareholder Activists of ICCR and an Up-Close View of Fracking Impacts in Texas

Since the release of our draft standards for shale development, we have been focusing a lot of our attention on fracking. As we review and refine the draft standards, we at Equitable Origin want to know: what are the most pressing public health and environmental risks posed by fracking operations, according to the latest scientific research? What are the best practices industry can use to minimize those risks?

Indigenous Group in Southeastern Ecuador Embraces EO100™ Standard at Community Workshop

In late May of this year, two members of the EO team traveled to Puyo, Ecuador and led a stakeholder engagement workshop with members of the indigenous people’s organization Comuna San Jacinto del Pindo de Pastaza. Senior Advisor, Rene Ortiz and Director of Socio-environmental Affairs, Pablo Yépez represented EO at the workshop, which also included technical staff for the indigenous organization along with the group’s president, Gina Tibi.

EO Director of Operations Examines Sustainable Value Chains at 2015 SPLC Summit

At the end of May, EO’s Director of Operations Sarah Coulter attended the 2015 Summit of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) in Seattle, Washington. Each year the summit provides a networking opportunity for professionals working in the sustainability industry to share ideas and learn best practices from other attendees.

EO Reps Share Perspectives on the Value, Limitations, and Path Forward for Standards and Certification at ISEAL Conference

Last month, two EO team members, VP of Standards Soledad Mills and Director of Markets Sarah Coulter, spoke at separate sessions at the ISEAL Alliance annual conference in Berlin. Mills and Coulter shared experiences and insights from EO’s six years of experience as the only independent standards and certification system for the oil and gas industry with representatives of other systems from across industries and around the world.

Deadline to Submit Comments on Fracking Standards EXTENDED to May 31

We have extended the deadline to comment on the draft EO100 for Shale Oil and Gas, the first independent standards for responsible fracking, to May 31st!

Anyone who is interested now has until May 31st to browse and/or download the draft standards, and submit comments to shalestandards@equitableorigin.com.

Peruvian Indigenous Group AIDESEP Holds Press Conference to Call for Oil and Gas Regulations Based on EO100™ Standard

Following its official request to Peruvian government agencies in December of last year, the indigenous group AIDESEP called a press conference to publicly advocate for the creation of an oil development policy based on the provisions of the EO100 Standard.

Updates on the Review of Complaint Related to Labor Practices at Certified Sites

In December 2014, EO received a letter of complaint from the U.S.-based labor organization AFL CIO. Submission of the complaint, which alleged improper labor practices by certified site operator Pacific Rubiales Energy (PRE), initiated an internal review, performed in accordance with EO Procedures for Certification System Comments, Complaints, and Appeals.

EO Becomes Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Member

The growing trend of heightened consciousness of the social and sustainability implications of purchasing decisions along companies’ entire supply chains provides numerous opportunities for EO to engage with consumer stakeholders. EO supports this trend by raising awareness and encouraging ethical purchasing decisions by energy consumers (people and companies) of all types and sizes.

Faculty Panelists Share Insights on Responsible Oil and Gas at EO-Organized Columbia University Event

Executive Director Steve Cohen of Columbia University’s Earth Institute welcomes attendees to Paying the True Price of Oil: Energy, Environment, Community, and Corporate Responsibility. On March 4, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) hosted EO and guests for a screening of “Oil & Water,” panel discussion, and Q&A session. The event, Paying…

At Oakland Event, EO and Expert Panelists Weigh How to Curb Irresponsible Oil and Gas Development

Promotional image for the EO-hosted film and discussion event at Impact Hub Oakland on February 26, featuring Hugo Lucitante’s grandfather studying an open pit of crude oil in the Amazon rainforest. There are many different approaches that can be taken to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts of irresponsible oil and gas development in…

VIDEO: David Poritz Tells the Story Behind Equitable Origin at GreenBiz Forum

Last month, EO President David Poritz, and Director of Communications Josh Garrett traveled to Phoenix Arizona to attend the 2015 GreenBizForum. The three-day annual conference serves as a platform for various stakeholders within a wide array of industries to explore progress and developments in corporate sustainability and responsibility. GreenBiz, conference sustainable business media company, describes…

EO Gains Recognition With Colombia’s National Brand Label

EO has gained recognition as a positive influence on business in Colombia, in the form of certification under the country’s national brand, Marca Pais. Given that Colombia’s oil productions now exceeds 1 million barrels per day, an amount that has steadily increased since 2008, it is vital that steps be taken to ensure industry-wide social…

EO Joins Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility as Affiliate Member

Earlier this month, EO officially joined the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) as an affiliate member. ICCR is an alliance of faith-based and social value-driven groups that use investment management as a means of influencing positive change. As a member, EO will join a network of socially responsible businesses and investors who share the…

Seeking Qualified Consultants to Assist Oil and Gas Companies in Implementing EO100™ Standard

As more oil and gas companies seek to certify their sites under the EO100™ Standard, they will require increasing guidance to implement the operational changes necessary to achieve certification. To facilitate this consultation assistance, EO maintains a roster of Qualified Implementation Consultants. Today, we are launching a call for Qualified Consultants to join us in…

EO VP Talks Human Rights in Oil and Gas Sector at Houston Workshop

On February 5th, The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) held a workshop on human rights due diligence in the oil and gas sector. The IHRB is a self-described “think and do tank” that strives to provide expertise in relationship building between international human rights standards and businesses. IHRB prioritizes initiatives “that can have…

EO Review of Complaint Regarding Labor Practices at Certified Site Moving Forward

In December, EO received a letter of complaint from the U.S.-based labor organization AFL CIO. Submission of the complaint, which alleged improper labor practices by certified site operator Pacific Rubiales Energy (PRE), initiated an internal review, performed in accordance with EO Procedures for Certification System Comments, Complaints, and Appeals. To begin the review process, EO…