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Exploring the PPGPL ESG Journey

 Giselle Grannum-Modeste
Senior Specialist ‑ Health and Sustainability | Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited

​LINKAGE Q4 (2024) - HUMAN FACTORS

 
Q1. When and why did you decide to embark on your ESG journey?

As a part of the NGC group of companies’ focus on sustainability and embracing green initiatives, in 2021 the PPGPL HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and Environment) department evolved into the HSSS (Health, Safety, Security and Sustainability) department. This modification facilitated PPGPL’s focus on more sustainable operations. Simultaneously, the PPGPL Sustainability Committee was formed to champion PPGPL’s renewed focus. The Sustainability Committee felt that PPGPL had already existed and operated in a manner that aligned with an ESG existence, and consequently the creation and publication of an ESG report represented one of the projects that would allow PPGPL to publicly share its alignment with ESG principles. The project was proposed by the Sustainability Committee and accepted and supported by the organisation’s Leadership Team and the Board. 

 Q2. What were 5 key steps you took on this journey?

1. In June 2022, PPGPL facilitated training on ESG investing for members of the Leadership Team.
2. The Sustainability Committee was created, introduced to the organisation and tasked to spearhead sustainable initiatives.
3. A sub-group of the Sustainability Committee conducted a review of applicable ESG frameworks to determine the most suitable framework applicable to PPGPL’s operations. It was decided that the ESG report would align with both the GRI 11: Oil and Gas Sector 2021 and the Oil and Gas Midstream Sustainability Accounting Standard (SASB) frameworks, as their disclosures offered the greatest alignment with operations at PPGPL. 
4. A list of sustainable projects was identified, assessed and streamlined into short-, medium- and long-term delivery timelines.
5. The ESG report was actioned as a major delivery milestone for the organisation.

 Q3. What have been some challenges you have encountered?

An ESG report is representative of the overall performance of an organisation and requires input from all departments. However, not all persons understood the importance of their input to delivering a comprehensive report and relegated the request for ESG data as of very low importance, or did not deliver any data at all.
The Committee recognised that more engagement of the employees was necessary to bring persons on board, helping them to understand the value of the generation and publication of an ESG report as well as the importance of their input into achieving this goal. It facilitated periodic updates and engagement sessions to keep employees in the loop on progress of the project, and shared important milestones as the project progressed.

 Q4. What are some lessons you would give others from the Boardroom and C-Suite with regard to ESG?

1. ESG performance and reporting is a team effort. Like a three-legged stool it requires equal input from all elements to deliver a balanced performance. Discussion between the three legs is also essential for the establishment of that desired balance.
2. It is important to help employees to understand and appreciate that ESG performance and reporting is not the sole responsibility of the HSSS department. Each employee’s activity contributes to the ESG performance of an organisation.
3. Early engagement of all employees in the project milestones is key to meeting deadlines as their collective input is imperative.

 Q5. Where would you say you are on this ESG journey?

PPGPL began the journey along the ESG path on wobbly legs as we learnt and understood what the journey entailed. Fortunately, a lot of what we do and how we have operated has been in alignment with preserving the environment in which we operate as we maintained profitability of the business. This double focus has enabled PPGPL to progress along the ESG path with slightly less of a hurdle than was anticipated. The reality is that we now exist in a new sphere of operation, no longer in what it was in 1991 when PPGPL commenced its operations. We continue to learn, modify our operational strategies and evolve, even as we navigate the hills and valleys ahead of us. 

 Q6. How can we as a collective drive progress through ESG? 

Collectively people have a very powerful voice and we can effect change through our actions. When we place equal importance on preserving the environment that sustains our lives and which has the potential to do the same for generations into the future, we can achieve great things. Preservation must be the philosophy that guides all that we do as we seek to leave behind a sustainable planet after we enjoy its benefits. 
 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

​Giselle Grannum-Modeste is the Senior Specialist ‑ Health and Sustainability at Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited