Arctic petroleum’s community impacts: Local

perceptions from Hammerfest, Norway

Summary

The article examines the perceptions of a local community that is directly affected by a petroleum
development located in Hammerfest, Norway. The focus of the research is mainly on the Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) which is responsible to limit the negative impacts of the petroleum
development to the local community. Snow white natural gas field started its production in 2002.
Since then, the dying city of Hammerfest, Norway has slowly revived and changed the lives of the
local citizens. The petroleum company brought in jobs and revenue to the city. This has resulted
to the development and progress of the city. It is notable that almost all respondents are very
satisfied with developments brought about by the petroleum company in their city. However, there
were some issues and concerns brought up by some of the respondents, rapid increase in real estate
and change in the values of the local people. The locals are giving more importance to money than
having a relationship with one another as a community. The environment impact does not seem to be
an issue since they trust their government with it. Since it is legal, they feel assured that the
government has taken all safety measures before issuing the permit.

Argument

To date, there has not been any reports of environmental impacts produced by the oil company.
Norway has been extracting its resources responsibly and investing its financial gains for the post
petroleum future. Through the CSR’s the Snow White is conscious in creating a sustainable
community by using local suppliers, cultural and social events for its development. In this day and age
were climate change has become a huge issue in everything that we do, the thought of an oil
development sounds alarming. However, in the case of Hammerfest, Norway studies have shown that
a strong political will to serve the people creates trust between the local citizens and the government.
The policy relevance and implementation of the CSR’s in Hammerfest, Norway is the key in balancing
a sustainable community.

Conclusion

This paper has shown that the key to a sustainable development lies in the hands of a government
that can be trusted by the people. The government of Norway does not only simply think of what it
can gain today but has also planned for the future of its citizens. The CSR creates and impliments
policies to ensure that companies such as petroleum industries would be beneficial to everyone with
the least possible negative impacts in the years to come. We have heard of several oil spills that has
caused a huge environmental issue. But in the case of Hammerfest, the local citizens trust that the
government has taken care of any possible damage that can arise from the petroleum industry. The
positive effects has been so profound that they don’t even bother with possible negative effects.