Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Social License to Operate is a dynamic concept that reflects the acceptance, trust, and support of a community, including stakeholders and the public, in the development and operation of projects. The concept has gained prominence due to heightened awareness of social and environmental responsibilities, impacting the feasibility and profitability of power and energy projects. The significance of early and continuous assessment of social maturity in renewable energy projects, emphasizing that a proactive approach can significantly enhance community relations, mitigate potential conflicts, and reduce operational risks. This paper presents an innovative approach, the Social Maturity Assessment Tool (SMAT), designed to evaluate the social maturity of power and energy projects. By employing the SMAT, project developers and operators can objectively gauge their projects’ social maturity and identify areas for improvement. the SMAT facilitates the alignment of project objectives with community expectations, thereby increasing the likelihood of obtaining SLO and maintaining it over the project’s lifecycle. The discussion is supported by case studies and practical examples of renewable energy projects that have successfully utilized the SMAT to strengthen their social maturity and secure SLO. These cases illustrate the positive impact of social maturity assessment on project outcomes, including increased community support, decreased opposition, and enhanced long-term sustainability.