Stakeholder & Public Involvement
Overview
We follow a comprehensive system of public participation, which is based on the principles of integrated environmental management. Undertaking environmental impact assessments and public consultation within the consulting and mining industries have strengthened our skills in being able to realise the objectives of the clients, as well as empower the public to better understand their environmental rights and opportunities in a particular development situation.
We employ highly effective communication techniques of environmental matters to a wide range of stakeholders, such as communicating with stakeholders in their preferred language. Powerful presentation techniques are also used, ranging from PowerPoint slideshows to participatory approaches, customised to the type of audience we are engaging.
The consultation media is also varied depending on the target audience, while not compromising on the regulatory requirements. For example, levels of literacy are researched and considered in making informed decisions about the tools that will best engage the community, such as radio media in addition to advertisements and one-on –one or focus group engagements.
In addition to public involvement processes which is undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessments and environmental management programmes, we support our clients in:
- Achieving a structured system of internal and external communication linked to the broader company communication strategy;
- Communicating new projects to the relevant affected parties through an agreed formal communication channel, with concerns to be incorporated into feasibility decisions; and
- Using a system of ensuring that projects are planned and communicated to regulatory authorities and strengthening of internal communication to support continual improvement.
- Report production.
- Development of site-specific implementation processes to counter-act negative environmental impacts.
We also design public involvement strategies, collate stakeholder profiles and registers, and facilitate their participation in the development projects, as well as solicit their environmental input into the developments.
Community meetings and respect for various cultures and indigenous knowledge (head-covering when necessary and observing appropriate dress codes);
- Regulatory authority engagements;
- Registration of stakeholders during engagements; and
- Erection of site notices for stakeholders about projects and meetings.
