54 55 In 2018, Kosmos worked with BP to prepare for and begin an environmental baseline study related to blocks 10 and 13. The study, which began June 2018 and will run through July 2019, uses passive acoustic monitoring equipment to measure ambient noise levels and collect data on the presence of sensitive species such as whales and sea turtles. The data collected from this study will be included in ESHIAs that will be conducted ahead of future activities, such as seismic surveys and drilling. Kosmos and BP have prepared an ESHIA related to future seismic activities in block 10, which was developed by independent consultants and approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Environment. We are committed to working closely and transparently with local and international stakeholders to safeguard São Tomé and Príncipe’s unique biodiversity. By following international standards and engaging in dialogue with international and local organizations, we believe oil and gas exploration can proceed in a responsible and environmentally- sensitive manner. ENGAGEMENT AND LISTENING Kosmos is committed to transparency and active promotion of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in each of our host countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, which has been a member country since 2012. Kosmos has established regular engagement with EITI and in 2018 became a member of the multi- stakeholder group in São Tomé and Príncipe. In 2018, Kosmos and its partners held two knowledge- building workshops on the oil and gas industry, one on each island, for local stakeholders. During the ESHIA process related to our seismic survey in 2017, the planned seismic program in 2019, and potential future drilling activities, we participated in public consultation forums and met with a variety of government and civil society stakeholders. Prior to our 2017 seismic program, Kosmos and its partners engaged with fishing communities, and established a formal grievance mechanism for individuals potentially impacted by our activities. The assessment included extensive consultation on both islands, which presented several opportunities for interested parties to provide feedback. This feedback was incorporated into the Environmental Management Plan and survey design. To keep stakeholders informed, a community engagement program was also conducted ahead of the seismic acquisition. The program included members from Kosmos, Galp, Agencia Nacional do Petroleo de São Tomé e Príncipe (ANP-STP), the national oil company, the local NGO MARAPA, and the Ministry of Fisheries. After the seismic campaign had concluded, we re-visited key local and international stakeholders to update them on the completion of the survey and the success of our environmental mitigation plans. A similar engagement program is scheduled ahead of the planned 2019 seismic survey. From 2017 to the present, Kosmos has had an ongoing dialogue with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) regarding our seismic planning and future activities offshore São Tomé and Príncipe. FFI provided valuable feedback on our survey design and mitigation measures, and we agreed to continue conversations around seismic acquisition and any future exploration drilling. We also shared cetacean and marine mammal data acquired by our marine fauna observers and other scientists on the seismic vessel during the acquisition program. POSITIVE IMPACTS Kosmos and its partners are obligated to spend approximately $3.3 million on social investment projects over four years (2016-2019) under the terms of our production sharing contracts with the government for blocks 5, 11 and 12. To ensure this social investment obligation results in real benefit to the people of São Tomé and Príncipe, Kosmos has engaged with the government to understand its national development priorities and formulate a strategic plan for the education sector. São Tomé and Príncipe has high levels of literacy compared to many other developing countries. However, the country’s young demographic – over 60% of the population is under the age of 24 – presents significant challenges in the education sector which the government is eager to address. According to recent government data, the key challenges are: •  Class size: an average of 80 students per classroom •  Pace of development: Inadequate use of technology due to lack of infrastructure and training •  Instruction: Insufficient number of teachers, many of whom lack necessary training Thus, the goals of the education initiative include improving access to quality education, reducing the average number of students per classroom, and preparing students for the future labor market. Kosmos is in the process of building two new secondary schools and associated facilities (in Santana and Monte Café) and adding classrooms and additional facilities to two existing schools in Neves and São Marçal. This commitment will add an additional 44 classrooms in high priority locations on the island of São Tomé. Once these projects are completed, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science will take responsibility for staffing the schools with qualified teachers or teachers-in-training, as well as the maintenance and repair of the classrooms and facilities. This initiative is being overseen and monitored by a steering committee comprised of Kosmos, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and ANP-STP. Construction on this project is now underway. Protecting Marine Life In addition to the education projects on São Tomé island, Kosmos has partnered with Fundação Príncipe Trust (FPT), a Príncipe- based organization devoted to environmental conservation, on an initiative which aims to improve the conservation status of the three species of sea turtles nesting on Príncipe, as well as making the island safe for the five species of sea turtles that inhabit Príncipe’s waters. The partnership is making progress in several areas: •  Monitoring and protecting sea turtle populations through patrols of nesting beaches and surrounding waters, as well as engaging coastal communities •  Raising awareness in local communities to increase support for turtle conservation through an education campaign focusing on secondary school children and freedivers, as well as a program to recruit students from each community to be part of the wildlife observation team •  Filling critical research and knowledge gaps on the ecology, habitat and status of the sea turtles to better inform and guide targeted conservation actions •  Strengthening the capacity of the local staff through managerial and technical training sessions We plan to continue our partnership with FPT and do our part to make the island a safe haven for sea turtles. “The partnership between Kosmos Energy and Fundação Príncipe is more than a relationship between donor and grantee. Kosmos has become a member of our family with whom we share our passion and love of this work, the islands, and the turtles. It was important that Fundação Príncipe remain independent and be able to speak honestly about Kosmos’ work in the country regardless of the grant we received. We could not be more happy with the way Kosmos has encouraged us to do exactly that – to push everyone to do their best for the natural resources of the country, for the communities and for our biodiversity. We are pleased to continue this partnership and the work we’re doing on turtle conservation and monitoring on Príncipe.” ESTRELA MATILDE Executive Director, Fundação Principe