In 2008, we spent approximately NOK 233 million on social investments in activities spread across 18 countries of operation, NOK 206 million of which was spent on a voluntary and NOK 28 million on a contractual basis. (Table 5.2 below breaks social investments down further by category, for our operations internationally and in Norway.

Through our social investments, we aim to mitigate social and political risks associated with project development and operations, promote human rights and transparency in the business environment, build local capacity and competence in the oil and gas industry, as well as improving local conditions and welfare.

Social investments contribute to the realisation of our ambition to practice social responsibility, and as such must be based on our business objectives and be linked to our overall goal of securing an enduring licence to operate. Social investments are to be used strategically to manage the impacts of our business activities, and they must therefore be established on the basis of relevant risks and opportunities as identified through country risks analyses, impact assessments and other relevant risk assessments. Stakeholder dialogue and involvement is also an important element in social investment identification, development and implementation, ensuring that real and expressed community needs are met, projects are appropriately designed and sustainability is secured.

Local strategies for social investment are often based on a country or project-specific social responsibility plan. These CSR plans, which are especially implemented in non-OECD countries, document key social and political risks to our business strategy and projects, mitigating actions and steps, and potential opportunity enchancements for our operations going forward. Based on this, social investments may then be identified to further the objectives set out in the CSR plans. In 2008, CSR plans were  prepared in 50% of the non-OECD countries where we have activities, up from 33% in 2007. A CSR plan was also prepared in Canada to take account of the particular social and environmental risks that our operations face there.