Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
One of the core functions of our project is to promote health and wellness, and we see the potential for our impact at both the local and global level.
What are we doing?
Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE): We are committed to promoting the health and security of our team as well as visitors to our site through the implementation of a Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) policy. Our staff are also receiving regular training through our internal HSSE program.
Funding for Youth Sport: Woodfibre LNG believes that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle should begin in childhood. Our Community Sponsorship Program includes a targeted funding stream for youth sports in the District of Squamish. Past funding recipients have included a range of activities such as minor hockey, minor baseball, field hockey, downhill mountain biking, swim club, and rugby.
Mental health support services: Our Community Sponsorship Program has provided funding to support a range of mental health support services. This includes Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for the Crisis Centre in Squamish and 26 care providers.
Goal 4: Quality Education
Woodfibre LNG recognizes the importance of lifelong learning and we are consistently seeking opportunities to support education and skill development in the region through our business practices. We have made a number of commitments to supporting education and lifelong learning for local area residents through our B.C. environmental assessment certificate and in our Impact Benefit Agreement with the Squamish Nation.
What are we doing?
Projected local area employment: Once operational, the Woodfibre LNG project will create over 100 full-time jobs and 330 indirect and induced jobs in Squamish.
Funding for job readiness training programs for the Squamish Nation: Woodfibre LNG has committed to providing annual funding to support the Squamish Nation to deliver adult essential skills training to the Nation members. These programs are intended to build the core skills needed for success in employment placements.
Employment-related training: Woodfibre LNG is committed to the development of training programs to support employment through both the construction and operations of the facility. This includes training specifically for residents of the Sea-to-Sky corridor and targeted programming for local Indigenous People.
Contributions to local area school programs: Our annual Community Sponsorship Program has contributed to programs in local area schools, such as the robotics program at Howe Sound Secondary.
Business opportunities: Committed to supporting local area businesses by providing a range of contracting and sub-contracting opportunities for local area and Indigenous-owned businesses. We are working with our preferred construction contractor to ensure that our procurement processes provide local businesses with the chance to work on the project.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
We strive to empower women and girls in Squamish. We recognize the strength of gender diversity in our communities and workplaces and support safe spaces for gender expression.
What are we doing?
Contributions to local area school programs: Our annual Community Sponsorship Program has funded a lunch program for Safe n’ Sound. This student group at Howe Sound Secondary promotes gender expression for LGBTQ+ youth in Squamish.
Contribution to Pride events: Woodfibre LNG is a sponsor of the 2019 Squamish Pride Festival and continues to seek opportunities to contribute to events in Squamish that promote gender diversity and expression.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The Woodfibre LNG project is located on the shore of Howe Sound and has a number of creeks running through the site. This location requires that a high level of attention is given to water management. Woodfibre LNG has made a number of regulatory commitments to a high standard of sustainable water management. We also seek opportunities to support community organizations who are stewards for water resources in the region.
What are we doing?
Co-development of environmental management plans relating to water: Through our combined Environmental Working Group, Woodfibre LNG is working with the Squamish Nation to co-develop environmental management plans to support protection of Howe Sound and the creeks/tributaries running through the site.
Information sharing with local organizations: Woodfibre LNG has shared information to support work of local stream-keeper organizations and participated in shoreline clean-ups.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
LNG exported from B.C. is integral to the reduction of global GHGs. Woodfibre LNG strives to be a part of global efforts to reduce reliance on coal as a source of fuel in developing economies. Our team is also committed to establishing Woodfibre LNG as an industry leader in innovative and modern LNG technologies. This is reflected in the high standards of Indigenous and local community involvement in the design of the facility.
What are we doing?
Powered by renewable energy: Our use of BC Hydro electricity means we can reduce GHGs by 80%.
Air cooling system: Woodfibre LNG made the switch from seawater cooling to air cooling technology following an independent study conducted by the Squamish Nation. This decision has the potential to reduce potential impacts on marine life and habitat around the Woodfibre LNG site.
Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Process: The Squamish Nation conducted an independent environmental assessment of the project and continues to function as a regulatory agency for Woodfibre LNG. We are committed to working with Indigenous partners through processes that find new ways to adopt the principles of UNDRIP into practice. Woodfibre LNG is proud to be the first industrial project to be issued an Environmental Assessment Certification by a non-treaty Indigenous People.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Woodfibre LNG is committed to supporting economic development in the local community through training and skill development, employment, and subcontracting opportunities. We recognize that our company will be a significant contributor to employment and business opportunities within the region and we aim to be part of the conversation around local economic development.
What are we doing?
Participation in local Chambers of Commerce: We are proud members of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and actively participate in dialogue. In addition, Woodfibre is proud to participate in business community through sponsorships of organizations.
Business opportunities: Committed to supporting Squamish businesses by providing a range of contracting and sub-contracting opportunities for local and Indigenous-owned businesses. We are working with our preferred construction contractor to ensure that our procurement processes provide local businesses with the chance to work on the project. We actively maintain a registry of local contractors for the region surrounding the District of Squamish. We also work collaboratively with the Squamish Nation to build a registry of businesses owned by the Nation or its members. Woodfibre has demonstrated our commitment to the principle of local hiring and economic growth. In 2017 we contracted 7 Sea to Sky Corridor companies to conduct site clean-up works.
Projected local area employment: Once operational, the Woodfibre LNG project will create over 100 full-time jobs and 330 indirect and induced jobs in Squamish. We expect to be a lead contributor to job creation in Squamish and aim to ensure that any income associated with our project is higher than Canada’s Official Poverty Line.
Employment-related training: Woodfibre LNG is committed to the development of training programs to support employment through both the construction and operations of the facility. This includes training specifically for residents of the Sea-to-Sky corridor and targeted programming for local Indigenous People.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
We recognize the importance of investing in innovative infrastructure to promote resilience and to leave a legacy of sustainability in the region. We have worked collaboratively with our regulators throughout the environmental assessment process to adapt our facility design in response to feedback from local and Indigenous communities. We have also made a commitment to contribute to municipal taxation and to develop management plans to address any potential impacts to infrastructure and services within the region.
What are we doing?
Innovative design informed by local requirements: Consultation with the Squamish Nation led to critical design changes including a switch from seawater cooling to air cooling and to move the originally planned floating liquefaction to an onshore facility.
Municipal taxes: The Woodfibre LNG facility will be located in the District of Squamish and will be subject to municipal taxes. These tax dollars will contribute to local services and community infrastructure in the District of Squamish.
Business opportunities: Committed to supporting local area businesses by providing a range of contracting and sub-contracting opportunities for local area and Indigenous-owned businesses. We are working with our preferred construction contractor to ensure that our procurement processes provide local businesses with the chance to work on the project.
Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities
Woodfibre LNG recognizes that a long colonial history has contributed to major inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous People in Canada. We are committed to providing opportunities to help reduce these inequalities by providing training and employment opportunities for Indigenous People.
What are we doing?
Targeted recruitment for Squamish Nation Members: Woodfibre LNG is working collaboratively with the Squamish Nation to develop a process for targeted recruitment of Squamish Nation members through the implementation of the Squamish Nation Impact Benefit Agreement.
Targeted recruitment for local Indigenous People: We are working to expand the process to allow for preferential hiring for members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and other Indigenous People.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
We recognize the role that industry has in shaping the cities in which they operate. Woodfibre LNG strives to be a part of the sustainable growth of the region. We will be taxpayers in the province and the local municipality. We are working to reduce potential adverse effects to infrastructure in the District of Squamish.
What are we doing?
Municipal taxes: The Woodfibre LNG facility will be located in the District of Squamish and will be subject to municipal taxes. These tax dollars will contribute to local services and community infrastructure in the District of Squamish. Since 2013, we have contributed over $3 million to the Squamish community in taxes and contributions.
Reducing pressures on the local housing market: We are committed to alleviating pressures on the housing market in Squamish and are exploring a range of low-impact housing options for workers during construction. In response to widespread community feedback, Woodfibre filed a proposed amendment to the project’s Environmental Assessment Approvals to house construction workers in a floating worker camp (the “floatel”). The floatel would have the capacity to house a majority of workers during the facility’s construction phase and would be located just offshore at the project site.
Contributions to community infrastructure: Since 2013, Woodfibre donated more than $1 million to local charities and organizations in Squamish, including through the Community Sponsorship Program. Our Impact Benefit Agreement with the Squamish Nation also allocates discretionary funds for culture and community programs. These funds may be used by the Squamish Nation to support investments in community-based infrastructure.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Woodfibre LNG is committed to continuously monitoring and improving our consumption and production across our entire supply chain. We are committed to sustainable procurement practices and are working with our preferred construction contractor to develop processes that prioritize Indigenous and local subcontracting opportunities.
Business opportunities for the Squamish Nation: We have worked collaboratively with the Squamish Nation to develop a process for both single source and preferential competitive bid opportunities. These business opportunities are intended to support Squamish Nation businesses and partnerships to participate in the Woodfibre LNG project. This helps to create training and employment opportunities for Squamish Nation members and to foster economic growth within the community.
Business opportunities for local SMEs: Woodfibre LNG recognizes the importance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in local economies. We will be working with the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and the B.C. Chamber of Commerce to ensure that local businesses are participating in procurement processes associated with the project.
Reduction of global GHGs: Woodfibre LNG will be the cleanest liquefied natural gas facility in the world and aims to minimize global greenhouse gas emissions by exporting LNG to goal reliant jurisdictions.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Woodfibre LNG recognizes that climate change is a global issue and we believe that by exporting B.C. LNG we are helping to reduce reliance on coal for electricity generation in China. It is estimated that the use of LNG fuel from our exports will result in the reduction of GHG emissions equivalent to approximately 700,000 vehicles being removed from the road each year.
What are we doing?
Designing for low carbon emission: Once built, Woodfibre will be the cleanest LNG export facility in the world. We estimate that our project will have a CO2 intensity of only 0.059 tonnes of CO2 (equivalent) per tonne of LNG produced. This compares to:
- LNG Canada: 0.15 tonnes of CO2 (equivalent) per tonne of LNG produced.
- New facilities on the gulf coast of the United States: 0.24 tonnes of CO2 (equivalent) per tonne of LNG produced.
- Global average LNG facility: 0.35 tonnes of greenhouse gases per tonne of LNG produced.
Reduction of global GHGs: Woodfibre LNG will be the cleanest liquefied natural gas facility in the world and aims to minimize global greenhouse gas emissions by exporting LNG to goal reliant jurisdictions.
Goal 14: Life Below Water
The Woodfibre LNG project is located on the shore of Howe Sound – an environmentally sensitive and culturally significant ecosystem. We are committed to protecting and enhancing marine resources through the lifecycle of the project. We are working collaboratively with the Squamish Nation and technical working groups to design marine mammal and marine ecosystem protection programs. We are also committed to contributing to marine use planning for Howe Sound.
What are we doing?
Marine Use Planning: Woodfibre LNG has committed to allocate funding towards marine use planning for Howe Sound as a condition of the Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Agreement.
Marine Mammal Noise Monitoring and Marine Mammal Management: Our team is working collaboratively with representatives from the Squamish Nation to co-develop a marine mammal noise monitoring program and a marine mammal management plan. This work is being done through the joint Woodfibre Environmental Working Group.
Participation in shoreline clean-ups: Woodfibre LNG has spent more than $13 million on shoreline restoration and remediation for the site. This has included the removal of approximately 4,000 creosote pilings, hundreds of old tires, and tonnes of rebar and concrete.
Goal 15: Life on Land
We recognize the importance of land use and site design that takes into consideration the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem.
What are we doing?
Green Zone: The Woodfibre LNG site will incorporate a Green Zone into the site layout as part of the Project design to help protect the riparian areas of Mill Creek within the Green Zone, and to re-establish a vegetated area. Woodfibre is committed to long-term maintenance of the Green Zone with native plants including tree and shrub species appropriate for the Project area.
Engagement with forest tenure holders: Our B.C. Environmental Assessment Certificate requires that we actively engage with forest tenure holders adjacent to the Woodfibre LNG site. We see this as a critical part of fostering productive working relationships with our neighbours and that we are able to do our part to promote sustainable use of land-based resources.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Woodfibre LNG strives to be an industry leader in our approach to building relationships with Indigenous People. We have taken steps to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) into our approach to consultation. We see the adoption of UNDRIP by industry as a critical part of Reconciliation with Indigenous People in Canada.
What are we doing?
Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment process: Following a first-of-its-kind process, the Squamish Nation became the only Indigenous government to be a regulator for a Canadian industrial project in the absence of a treaty. Woodfibre is the first project in Canada to be issued a legally binding Environmental Assessment Certificate by a non-treaty First Nation. The Squamish Nation has been integral in shaping the design of the facility through the environmental assessment process and has driven a number of innovative changes to the project.
Indigenous access: We have committed to work with the Squamish Nation to support Squamish Nation members in continuing their access to traditional lands through the site.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
We recognize the important role that industry has in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Woodfibre LNG is working to integrate the UN SDGs into practices across our business units.
What are we doing?
Mapping business activities and initiatives against the SDGs: Woodfibre LNG is working across our business units to map business activities and initiatives against the SDGs. We are also working to build the SDGs into planning or long-term commercial operations of the facility.
Developing data collection tools: We are working with our internal team members and our contractors to gather data relating to the SDGs and their accompanying indicators.
