PFAS and public trust: Why engagement matters as much as remediation

“Ultimately, leadership on PFAS won't be judged on the solution. It will be judged on the experience that community members have throughout the remediation process.” – Sharon Sebastian

Most organisations approach PFAS as a technical challenge. Investigate the contamination. Assess the risks. Develop a remediation strategy.

But for communities living with PFAS, the challenge is often much more personal. It is uncertainty, anxiety and a lack of clear answers about what contamination means for their health, environment and future.

In this episode, Sharon Sebastian joins Ben Hall, Global Thought Leadership Manager at GHD, to explore why PFAS engagement is no longer just about communication. It is about trust, transparency and building the social licence needed to support long-term remediation programs in increasingly complex community environments.

• PFAS engagement is fundamentally different because communities are often dealing with uncertainty, anxiety and evolving science
• Facts and technical data alone are rarely enough to build trust or community confidence
• Successful PFAS programs prioritise early engagement, transparency and ongoing dialogue
• Cultural awareness and tailored engagement approaches are essential, particularly when working with First Nations and diverse communities
• Organisations that treat engagement as a core capability will be better positioned to build trust and maintain social licence over the long term
  
  

Explore the related Nexus weekly column: Navigating PFAS with communities: Trust, transparency and transformation