Though intervention in Syria and climate change demonstrations dominated headlines last week during the UN General Assembly, another significant event was also underway, the first UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, inaugurated by Evo Morales and Ban Ki-moon.
As part of our ongoing series of perspectives on the world's first certified-responsible oil production site, we asked Valeria Santos, Sustainability Lead for Pacific Rubiales Energy, to share her thoughts on what the certification means for her company and the oil industry at large, and her response follows.
The documentary film "Oil and Water" tells the fascinating story of Equitable Origin's evolution out of company co-founder and President David Poritz's experiences with oil development in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
You can now watch the film online for free util October 22nd! Click here to watch the film on the PBS Global Voices website.
Remember to set your DVR because "Oil and Water" premieres on the PBS World Channel on Sunday September 21st at 10 pm (click the link to find your local World Channel station and airtime).
The documentary film chronicles EO founder and President David Poritz's experiences with irresponsible oil development in the Ecuadorian Amazon that led him to create the world's first independent certification system for the oil and gas industry.
Equitable Origin President David Poritz takes the stage for a Q&A session as the "Oil and Water" credits roll at Amherst Cinema on Monday September 15.
Equitable Origin founder and President David Poritz was on hand for the screening of the film "Oil and Water" in his home town of Amherst, Massachusetts on Monday.
Equitable Origin is the only standards and certification system for the oil and gas industry, but it has many counterparts in different industries around the world. Independent certification systems help identify and support more socially and environmentally responsible practices in agriculture, forestry, and water use, just to name a few.
Earlier this week, Equitable Origin issued the world's first certification for socially and environmentally responsible practices by an oil production operation. The certified site, located in Colombia and operated by Pacific Rubiales Energy, achieved certification by demonstrating adherence to the EO100™ Standard for best industry practices across several categories, like Fair Labor and Working Conditions and Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment.
It only took a few visits to the oil-producing region of the Ecuadorian Amazon before I realized that I wanted to do something drastic to help improve the lives of the people there. I was only 15 at the time, but it was painfully obvious that what these communities needed in order to achieve a better way of life was a new approach to oil development--the root of so many of their social, environmental, and public health problems.
We are extremely pleased to announce that EO certified the world's first oil production site under the EO100™ Standard! The site, which consists of two oil fields in Colombia, is operated by the country's largest private operator, Pacific Rubiales Energy.
As with wood products, diamonds, and coffee, there are responsible and irresponsible ways to explore for and produce oil and natural gas. Responsible oil is produced using practices that respect the rights and wishes of local communities, provide an equitable share of the economic benefits with those communities, and minimize environmental impacts.