PERTH (miningweekly.com) –  The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea) has unveiled the oil and gas industry’s first Social License report, which has shown that support for the industry was nearly two-and-a-half times higher than opposition.

Appea CEO Andrew McConville said  the report highlights how the oil and gas industry is building trust in the community as well as creating thousands of jobs and protecting the environment.

“Our challenge isn’t to fight the professional activists who ignore credible science, attack shareholders and dismiss experts. Our challenge is to meet and exceed the expectations of our communities and shareholders.

“The Social Licencereport captures just a snapshot of the work of our industry to build trust across the country and give back to all Australians,” McConville said.

“Investing in community programs and infrastructure. Creating local opportunities for local workers and businesses across our suburbs and our regions. Lowering emissions and committing to climate action.”

McConville said one of the findings in the report is the independent research undertaken over the past two and a half years, and most recently in April 2021, about community sentiment towards the oil and gas industry.

“It consistently shows Australians cite employment and jobs – 45% – and climate change – 31% – as among their top three issues of importance. There has been an understandable spike in health as an issue over the past 18 months,” he said.

“Support for Australia’s oil and gas industry is 47%, almost two and a half times higher than opposition at 19%; and strong opposition such as that from activists sits at just 7% of Australians.

“There is also extremely strong support for the role of natural gas in Australia’s future energy mix, with more than 70% in agreement, and natural gas is seen as the second cleanest energy source after renewables, significantly ahead of nuclear and coal sources.”

McConville said despite the broad community support for the industry, it was vital to keep making independent, balanced information available to community members who wish to know more especially when it comes to climate change.

“Our industry underpins around 80 000 direct and indirect jobs, and hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs rely on the reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of oil and gas,” he said.

“With the right policy settings a recent Ernst & Young report said our industry could boost national economic output by more than A$350-billion and support the creation of 220 000 jobs over the next two decades.

“Despite what our detractors might say, our industry is also doing a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to tackling climate change.

“It is a fact that natural gas plays a vital role in reducing Australia’s and Asia’s emissions. Australian liquefied natural gas is helping to reduce emissions in importing countries by about 170-million tonnes each year.

“Natural gas plays an important role in balancing renewable energy and our industry is also leading the world in the practical development of carbon capture and storage and hydrogen to ensure a clean energy future.

“We need to keep showing real proof and real actions of how we are helping make Australia a better place. This is how you win the hearts and minds of ordinary Australians.”