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.
Co-founder and President of Equitable Origin David Poritz appeared on National Public Radio Station WBUR Boston on Friday to discuss the film "Oil and Water" and EO's work and mission. David and "Oil and Water" co-director Laurel Spellman Smith were interviewed by reporter Sacha Pfieffer for the "Radio Boston" program.
Beginning on September 1, 2014, Equitable Origin held a three-day workshop in Iquitos, Peru at the headquarters of the Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the East (ORPIO) the regional subsidiary of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Jungle (AIDESEP) for the Loreto region of Peru.
On the 22 and 23 of August, Equitable Origin President David Poritz and VP of Standards and Stakeholder Engagement Soledad Mills traveled to Belize with James Anaya, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to meet with the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association.
Equitable Origin's Sebastián Pérez presents the EO system to representatives of OPIAC
Equitable Origin’s Pablo Yépez and Sebastián Pérez met with representatives from OPIAC, the Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, in August 2014 to discuss the working relationship between the two organizations, share news and success stories, and to plan next steps in advancing mutual goals.
Jhon Wajai is a member of the Shuar Indigenous People of Ecuador and Peru. He provides technical and political support to Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in the Amazon region, including CONFENIAE, Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon, and COICA, Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin.