This year's Conference was organised under the title "Responsible Energy: Projects in the energy sector - from protest, to dialogue, to partnership"; its main subject was the social dialogue in the context of energy sector projects, including in particular exploration for and production of shale gas. The presidents of leading energy companies, as well as representatives of public administration, non-governmental organisations, scholarly community and local governments took part in the discussion.

Plenary speakers included Mr Mikołaj Budzanowski, Minister of State Treasury, and Mr Bogusław Sonik, Member of the European Parliament.

Speakers in the three discussion panels exchanged views on the sources and mechanisms of conflicts related to projects in the energy sector, benefits derived from such projects, and opportunities for dialogue and cooperation between businesses and local communities. The conclusion of today's discussion was that giving is as important as taking.

From the left: Tomasz Maj (Talisman Energy Polska),  Rowen Bambridge (Aurelian Oil & Gas Poland),
Grażyna Piotrowska-Oliwa (PGNiG), Paweł Żuk (Strzelecki Energia Sp. z o.o.)  

"Companies should compete and vie in terms of the number of wells to be drilled over the next few years and volume of gas produced. However, as far as communication is concerned, cooperation must take the place of rivalry. A joint and consistent message addressed to inhabitants of areas for which shale gas licences have been granted is all important. Such joint message should also be addressed to EU institutions, as this is the only  way to win their confidence and acceptance," said Mr Mikołaj Budzanowski, Minister of State Treasury.

"Exploration for shale gas is currently a priority in the public debate going on in Poland. PGNiG, holding the largest number of exploration licences, is particularly responsible for dialogue with the local communities and for informing the Polish public of its exploration and production work. PGNiG, active on the market for several decades, has always attached much importance to good relations with local communities. We have adopted the same approach in our operations related to shale gas. This is why we have chosen reliable dialogue taking into consideration the interests of our social partners as the leading motif of this year's Responsible Energy Conference. I am especially pleased to see at our Conference the heads of municipalities and communes from areas of our exploratory work," said Ms Grażyna Piotrowska-Oliwa, President of the PGNiG Management Board.

PGNiG initiated the Responsible Energy Conference in 2009. The Conference was designed as a platform for exchange of experience and opinions between all parties interested in sustainable development: companies from the energy sector, representatives of public administration, scholarly community and non-governmental organisations. For four years now, the Conference has been organised by PGNiG in cooperation with PwC Polska, the Responsible Business Forum and the ThinkTank magazine.

In addition to discussions, the Conference is also an opportunity for companies active in the Polish energy sector to accede to the Declaration on Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector in Poland. Over the four years, as many as 23 companies have signed the Declaration, including Tauron, Gaz-System, Enea, Lotos and PKN Orlen.

For more details on the corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, go to http://www.odpowiedzialna-energia.pl

Press Team of PGNiG