ID: 1575
Presenting Author: Gracie Coates
Session: 676 - Public Trust and Social Impact Assessment: Lessons learned from major projects
Status: pending
A case study from Texas’s Coastal Bend explores how misinformation, distrust, and evolving communication dynamics shape public perception—and how adaptive social impact assessments could rebuild trust
Major industrial projects in Texas’s Coastal Bend region face persistent community distrust and opposition rooted in long-standing perceptions of inequity and environmental harm. Despite extensive outreach, traditional engagement models—such as Community Advisory Panels—often fail to reflect the broader community’s perspectives, particularly younger audiences more active on social media. In contrast, anti-industry NGOs, though representing a small subset of the population, have built significant influence through coordinated online campaigns and effective storytelling, shaping regional narratives around industry and development. This case study examines how misinformation, legacy distrust, and evolving communication channels have disrupted project implementation, halted developments, and fueled local activism. By exploring recent examples, including civil rights–based opposition to industrial projects, this presentation highlights key lessons learned for building public trust. It argues that effective social performance—when informed by transparent monitoring, adaptive management, and culturally attuned communication—can preempt conflict and foster more resilient community relationships. The Coastal Bend experience underscores that the value of strong social performance often lies in what does not happen: avoided delays, canceled projects, and broken trust. The presentation concludes with practical recommendations for reimagining engagement strategies that align with how communities communicate, connect, and define trust today.
Gracie Coates is a social consultant helping companies and communities navigate complex social and environmental interfaces through impact, risk, and stakeholder engagement.
Coauthor 1: Ranay Guifarro