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.

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 needles — not just tick the 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 extern.

 Gaia Talks

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

Look to SPE Energy Stream for the archive of many of our Gaia Talks
Panels

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

 Section Awards

Gaia Section Awards

Contact Latam y Caribe Liaisons

 Gaia on LinkedIn

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

Latest Discussions

Gaia Events

   

Gaia Masterclass: Turning Ambitious Ideas Into World-Scale Enterprises with Ian MacGregor

December 10, 2025 (8:00–9:30 Central Time)

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Zma-PqNfTNWpe8Xn-5d0CA

How do world-changing companies actually get built-especially in sectors where technical complexity, capital intensity, and environmental expectations are all rising?

No alternative text description for this imageIan MacGregor will share the hard-earned lessons of a lifetime spent turning ambitious ideas-and sometimes broken ones-into globally significant enterprises. For over four decades, his company North West Capital has followed a simple philosophy: engineers who understand finance can evolve industries through practical innovation. Their ventures focus on lowering both operating costs and environmental impacts, grounded in deep engineering expertise and real operational experience.

Ian will speak candidly about:

  • How great ideas evolve into large-scale commercial realities
  • Why cost reduction and environmental performance must go hand-in-hand
  • Lessons from building complex infrastructure in Alberta and beyond
  • What sustainable development looks like when driven by engineering truth-not buzzwords

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Gaia Talk: Impact Investing for Energy Transition Innovation

January 14, 2026 (8:00–9:30 Central Time)

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e6q0ax_3QhGIQIazZ6S4rw

Join us on January 14, 2026 as we discuss the potential that impact investing brings to energy transition efforts that focus on financial returns and social and environmental impacts. Impacting investing in the energy sector is witnessing a surge due to global focus on climate change adaptation and renewable energy. Case in point, global investment in clean energy is projected to reach $3.3 trillion dollars in 2025, $2.2 trillion allocated to renewables, nuclear, smart grids and storage.No alternative text description for this image

Learn about what's involved in impact investing and how it can support the various people and organizations within the Energy Sector who are especially focused on achieving competitive returns and fostering social and environmental benefits. If you're working in emerging markets, this session may be of special interest. Countries like Brazil, Nigeria and Indonesia, for instance, are seeing burgeoning investments driven by the need for sustainable development.

Leehe Skuler is an impact & climate finance professional, working around the world with investors, philanthropists, and international agencies since 2009 to develop and implement strategies that achieve significant climate impact and financial return. 

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