How does risk communication influence the social license to operate of the Eagle LNG gas pipeline in Aruba?

Abstract The importance of community members being fully informed about infrastructure projects and the possibility of public participation is evident. The specific case of the gas pipeline project that will be executed by the company Eagle LNG on the island of Aruba was examined for this research to investigate the significance of communicating risks surrounding infrastructure projects to the public and whether this affects the permission that the public gives to a company to execute this project in their community. The research thus looked at how risk communication influences the social license to operate of the Eagle LNG gas pipeline in Aruba. The stakeholders that were identified as being affected by or having an influence on this specific project consisted of a government department, a non-governmental organization, and inhabitants living near the proposed gas pipeline. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these stakeholders using interview guides tailored to the expertise and the topics that the different stakeholder groups are knowledgeable about. The lack of credibility and partnership from Eagle LNG with the stakeholders was the main issue that influenced most stakeholders to not give the social license to operate to this company. Stakeholders mention not receiving information from the company, not being approached by the company, and no opportunities for public consultation. Further research should focus on the role of stakeholder mapping in risk communication and what effects this has on the social license to operate.