We are living through an era defined by transformation. Population growth, climate change, artificial intelligence and shifting global dynamics are driving a wave of transitions that touch every aspect of the public sector. For example, the energy transition demands new transmission lines to connect renewable energy zones, large scale super batteries, new renewable energy projects including, in some jurisdictions, nuclear power infrastructure and the safe and appropriate accommodation of nuclear waste. The water transition calls for securing new water supplies independent of rainfall, and connecting growing populations to resilient utilities as demand outstrips traditional supply. The housing transition requires new housing developments that integrate effectively with transport and utilities. A rapidly evolving global trade system is reshaping ports and transport infrastructure.
Most of these changes are not optional - they are essential, yet disruptive. They require rapid delivery alongside considerate policy making, and meaningful community engagement. Failing to bring the community along the journey risk delays, backlash, and missed opportunities for better outcomes. Having a strong social licence is not just a safeguard - it’s an asset that can help unlock better outcomes. Those include:
A social licence shouldn’t be treated as a hurdle to clear once to gain project approval. Instead we recognise it as a strategic tool that enables governments and agencies to deliver transformation with credibility, legitimacy, and trust. While Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Social Impact Assessments (SIA) are often mandatory, they tend to be compliance-driven, slow, and often focused on requisite technical standards for approval over deliberative processes for improvement. They typically occur at the beginning of a project, and rarely offer a timely or ongoing read on public sentiment, especially when community awareness and understanding are low.
A social licence isn’t just about avoiding backlash or ticking a box during the approvals phase. It’s also about unlocking better outcomes for the community through planning, delivery, and beyond. It continues to exist after a project is approved, built, and operational, and maintaining that social licence means staying attuned to evolving public sentiment, responding to concerns, and reinforcing trust over time. Projects that do this well are more resilient, more efficient, and more likely to deliver lasting public value.
Measure What Matters
This goes beyond reputation tracking. It distinguishes between:
These two licences often diverge. A trusted energy provider may have SLO but lack SLA for a new offshore windfarm. Assuming one from the other can be reputationally risky and project-threatening.
Social Context Shapes Literacy and Licence
A social licence doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s shaped by what people know, believe, and understand, which is why community literacy is a critical, often overlooked, dimension. Awareness of an organisation’s role, its mandate, and the problems it seeks to solve is the foundation of whether people ultimately support an organisation or not. But awareness alone isn’t enough. True literacy means understanding the rationale behind a project, the trade-offs involved, and the safeguards in place.
When citizens are equipped with this understanding, they’re more likely to engage constructively, ask informed questions, and grant permission with confidence. Conversely, low literacy leaves projects vulnerable to misinformation, reactive sentiment, and sudden withdrawal of support. Measuring and improving literacy alongside sentiment can help build resilience, foster trust, and create the conditions for sustainable transformation.
Diagnose the Right Voices
A social licence is not monolithic. It varies by stakeholder group, impact level, and behavioural profile. Your methodology must:
This diagnostic clarity enables targeted communication and education strategies that resonate with the right audiences.
Having a clear picture of how your social licence enables:
It’s not just about permission- it’s about partnership.
About Verian
Verian is a global policy advisory and evidence business. We work end-to-end across the public policy lifecycle, helping clients tackle next-generation challenges.
In Australia, our expertise spans energy, water, transport, and beyond. We’ve developed a purpose-built, evidence-based solution for measuring and managing social licence empowering governments and agencies to deliver responsibly, even when projects disrupt or impact communities.