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Welcome to the SPE Sustainable Development Technical Section (SDTS)

The SDTS brings together SPE members who are committed to advancing the future of energy through strong sustainability, systems thinking, and technically grounded action.

We are the home of the SPE Gaia Sustainability Program, co-created by SPE members to empower engineers, scientists, and energy professionals to confidently engage with the world’s most urgent sustainability challenges. Gaia helps our community learn, collaborate, ask better questions, and develop solutions that keep the industry on the right side of history.

What We Focus On

Transform the Energy System – People and technology shaping a resilient future
Measure What Matters – Metrics for action, impact, and accountability
Regenerate Natural Capital – Protecting and restoring ecological foundations
Enable a People-Centered Transition – Supporting workforce, communities, and society

These themes are supported by two enabling behaviors essential to strong sustainability: Engage & Listen and Collaborate to Innovate.

How We Engage

Gaia Talks – Conversations with experts inside and outside our industry
Gaia Masterclasses – Deep-dive learning built for technical professionals
Gaia Summits & Congresses – High-engagement, multi-day events
Panels at SPE Flagship Conferences – Bringing sustainability to ATCE, IPTC, and more

Each offering provides a safe, non-hierarchical space to learn, explore ideas, and connect with diverse expertise — from operators and researchers to activists and policy leaders.

Why It Matters

Humanity is operating close to — and in many cases beyond — the planet’s safe boundaries. SDTS exists to help SPE members develop the knowledge, confidence, and agency needed to accelerate meaningful progress while ensuring reliable energy for the world.

SDTS Sustainability Transformed

Read reflections from SDTS past chairperson Trey Shaffer on SPE’s journey in sustainability leadership.

Open the paper in a new window

Join Us

Whether you are at the beginning of your sustainability journey or driving transformational change, SDTS offers a global community where you can learn, contribute, and help move the needle — not just tick boxes.

Up to 100 invited attendees focused on a strategic theme and move the needle goal. 2024 Decarbonization Congress 2023 Oman Gaia Summit 2023

SPE GAIA EVENT JOURNAL

90 minute, single or series, panel or fireside, open exchange on complex new knowledge, with external and internal experts in new knowledge.

Look to our SDTS Event Archive and SPE Energy Stream for the archive of many of our Gaia Masterclasses.

30 minute webinars on Zoom or SPE Live with one guest/one host. safe space, external and internal experts in new knowledge.

Look to our SDTS Event Archive SPE Energy Stream for the archive of many of our Gaia Talks

Gaia-enabled panels/special sessions at SPE flagship events e.g. ATCE, EuropEC, IPTC etc

Gaia Section Awards

Contact Latam y Caribe Liaisons

2,000+ members & growing - a diverse community of oil and gas adjacent engineers and activists.

Latest Discussions

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Gaia Events

Gaia Masterclass: The economic impacts of climate change

June 18, 2026 (10am CDT)
Register here: Gaia Talk 20260618

Speakers: Professor Richard Tol, University of Sussex

Moderator: Farshid Mostowfi, SDTS Chairperson

Abstract:

This masterclass surveys current estimates of how climate change affects human welfare. Comparative static studies show that the modal impact of a 2.5 degree Celsius increase is equivalent to losing some 2% of income — or hundred years of global warming is about as bad as losing one year of economic growth. The uncertainty is large and skewed the wrong way. Poorer countries are much more vulnerable than richer countries. Adding omitted impacts doubles the estimate, and adding growth effects doubles the estimate again. Econometric estimates of the impact of weather shocks on economic growth suffer from fatal conceptual and statistical flaws.