The meeting took place in an online format, which expanded the possibility to engage a wide range of stakeholders which are located outside the Sakhalin Oblast.
The videoconference was attended by representatives of the regional government and municipal authorities, Sakhalin Public Chamber, Sakhalin State University, other educational and cultural institutions, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF Russia), Sakhalin indigenous minorities and corporate social responsibility and sustainable development experts.
At the meeting with stakeholders, Sakhalin Energy specialists presented company performance reports for 2021 in key areas of activity. All of them fit into the trajectory of the new reality, which has become the topic of the forthcoming report.
The digital transformation programme was one of the key factors of successful adaptation to non-standard conditions for the Sakhalin-2 project operator. As part of the dialogue, the company presented its implementation in 2021. The adopted digital strategy was developed with the participation of all company's business units and using Russian and international experience. As noted by Alexander Tvorogov, Head of IT/IM Department, Sakhalin Energy identifies digital transformation as part of a corporate governance strategy that creates new opportunities for the company. As part of achieving this objective, various activities and projects in the area of digital development are being implemented to ensure the sustainable development of the company and the industrial and environmental safety of the Sakhalin-2 project. "The level of automation and digitisation of the company is high today, but we don't become complacent and move forward with confidence," added Alexander Tvorogov.
While solving production-related problems, Sakhalin Energy harmoniously combines its development with reducing environmental impact. With this in mind, the company's activities carry a significant ecological perspective, including global decarbonisation. To provide scientific substantiation in this area, in 2021, Sakhalin Energy signed an agreement with the Russian Academy of Sciences, which includes, among other things, cooperation in climate policy and low-carbon development.
The presentation aroused a great deal of interest among the meeting attendees. Irina Lindberg, Head of Green Economy Development Division of Amur WWF Branch, asked about plans to develop a corporate programme on biodiversity conservation and adaptation to the energy transition. Andrey Samatov, Head of Sakhalin Energy Corporate Environmental Division, said that the Biodiversity Action plan was updated in 2021 − the current version of the document will be published on the Sakhalin Energy official website. Concerning the energy transition and implementation of the green agenda, the company has developed an integrated Green LNG Strategy which focuses on applying effective methods and approaches to reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions. Sakhalin Energy has also begun to develop a strategy for adaptation to climate change.
Several questions were asked concerning the company's interaction with the public, including Sakhalin indigenous minorities. This activity took a particular place in the discussion that also touched ESG indices, used to assess businesses' social and environmental responsibility.
Natalya Novikova, a Leading Researcher of the Department for the North and Siberia at the RAS Miklouho-Maclay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, noted that in today's environment, the relationship between subsoil users and indigenous ethnic groups must be built on a legislative basis and in line with international standards. This kind of best practice distinguishes Sakhalin Energy from other Russian companies. As a result, the company's cooperation with Sakhalin indigenous minorities continues to gain recognition both domestically and internationally. Ekaterina Koroleva, a member of the Public Chamber of the Sakhalin Oblast, raised the issue of the effectiveness of the grievance procedure − one of the critical tools for engagement with stakeholders.
Recommendations received during the dialogue and at the first meeting held last November will be included in the 2021 Sustainable Development Report.