In this episode, we dive into the importance and meaning of environmental and social justice across different regions. We hear from Social and Environmental Justice experts Erica Olesson, Sustainability Leader, Tonkin + Taylor in New Zealand, Scott Recker, Environmental Remediation Practice Leader at Antea Group USA, and Valentina Vieri, a Sustainability Specialist for HPC Italy. The group discusses strategies for achieving sustainable development, emphasizing the need for community engagement, regulatory compliance, and addressing vulnerable groups.

---------

Guest Quotes

“That term, environmental and social justice, is not one that we use very commonly in Australia and New Zealand where I've worked. We talk more about social license to operate, so it's a similar concept, perhaps a bit reversed. It's more about what the company needs to do for, what the organization needs to do for the community to be happy that they're there and to be making sure that they're responding to those community needs.” - Erica Olesson

“So the term environmental justice has been in use in the U.S. for probably at least 40 years. And it's really been indoctrinated into legislation and regulation in the last 3 or 4 years. So, it has a very specific definition in the U.S. and what that really means is equal treatment of community, regardless of your race, color, national origin, your income, where you live, all of those things need to be treated equally. If we go to different parts of the world, and I work with my Inogen associates all over the planet, it means different things in different places.” - Scott Recker

“Sustainability is, I think, a global vision of different topics, of different perspectives. And what we try to do is to integrate these perspectives together, these different points of view, and try to find a common solution that can bring values, not just for a company, a person, but for the environment, the people and the planet. So for everybody, this is what we try to do.” - Valentina Vieri

---------

Time Stamps

00:00 Te Ara Oteata, or the Mount Messenger Bypass, case study

(02:03) Roundtable conversation

(02:22) Valentina's perspective on environmental and social justice

(06:29) Scott's insights on environmental justice in the U.S.

(10:55) Erica's view on social license to operate

(14:17) Challenges and trends in environmental and social justice

(31:47) Measuring impact and benefits

---------

Sponsor copy

Rethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of environment, health, safety, sustainability and ESG consulting companies working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit http://www.inogenalliance.com/ to learn more.

---------

Links

Follow Phil on LinkedIn

Follow Scott on LinkedIn

Follow Erica on LinkedIn

Follow Valentina on LinkedIn

Explore Inogen Alliance's resources