THE ROLE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS: A LOOK AT OIL AND GAS PROJECTS IN MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

The oil and gas industry develop a very complex activity, which in order to reach its final product, several risks are generated, among them, environmental risks. The present work presents a reflection on risk communication through public consultations for the management of environmental risks, with a particular focus on oil and gas projects in Mozambique. The present study was carried out through a review of the existing literature on this topic, and the results revealed that public consultations play a fundamental role in risk management, since risk communication, through public consultations, is reinforced public participation in decision-making processes, contributing to the transparency of processes and the open reception of public opinions, fundamental aspects for risk management through the involvement of all stakeholders. But in order for public consultations to be effective, they must be structured for specific target groups and specific themes, according to the complexity of the project, and for this reason it is recommended the elaboration of legal instruments that guide the processes of specific public consultations for oil and gas projects. offshore (at sea) and onshore (on land) gas.