ABSTRACT
As attention to the opportunities and the risks associated with the petroleum industry has risen, so too has the impact of civil society organizations on governance of the sector. Within oil-producing countries, diverse groups of activists, journalists, academics and community representatives have developed sophisticated tools for influencing public policy and promoting more accountable practices. At an international level, civil society has coalesced to organize successful campaigns to develop strong international reporting standards and collect lessons learnt from global practice. This chapter examines the influence that civil society has had on the evolution of norms and procedures for oil sector management, both at a national and international level, and identifies emerging issues and tactics that civil society groups are beginning to utilize as their approaches continue to grow more nuanced.
