How NGC Is Driving Sustainable Development in Trinidad & Tobago’s Energy Sector
Our Approach to Sustainability
To have a meaningful and lasting impact on the most significant challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago and the wider global community, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) has chosen to focus its sustainability efforts on issues that are most relevant to its business, stakeholders and national development priorities.
Over time, NGC has made a deliberate strategic shift away from a traditional culture of grants and donations toward capacity building and long-term partnerships. This evolution reflects a belief that sustainable development is best achieved when communities and organisations are empowered with the skills, tools and systems needed to sustain themselves.
A key pillar of this approach is NGC’s Employee Volunteerism Programme, which enables employees to contribute their time, knowledge and professional expertise to social and environmental initiatives. Through volunteering, employees actively support NGC’s mission to create shared value across communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Strategic Pillars and Vision 2030 Alignment
NGC’s sustainability framework is closely aligned with Trinidad and Tobago’s Vision 2030 National Development Strategy
(https://vision2030.gov.tt) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
A notable long-term partnership has been established with the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts to support the implementation of the National Policy on Sustainable Community Development in NGC’s fenceline communities—beginning with La Brea.
Transitioning from Grants to Capacity Building
NGC’s partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups are designed to build institutional capacity rather than create dependency. By equipping partners with governance, planning and operational skills, NGC supports long-term sustainability and measurable social impact.
This approach reinforces the company’s commitment to NGC Corporate Social Responsibility as a strategic business function—one that delivers national benefit while strengthening stakeholder trust.
Sustainability and Our COVID-19 Response
The year 2020 presented extraordinary challenges for businesses across all sectors. For NGC, its longstanding focus on sustainability positioned the company to respond swiftly and effectively to the evolving needs of stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While continuing to play its critical role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of natural gas for electricity generation, NGC prioritised responses addressing both health and social impacts, aligned with:
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
Business Continuity & Remote Work
As early as January 2020, NGC activated its existing Business Continuity Plan, sharing critical COVID-19 information across operations. Following confirmation of Trinidad and Tobago’s first case, the Incident Management Team was mobilised to manage and escalate response protocols.
On March 18, 2020, NGC implemented a work-from-home policy for non-essential staff. This transition was supported by prior investment in secure digital infrastructure, including the deployment of Windows 10 Always On VPN beginning in 2019.
- Employees already equipped with company laptops transitioned seamlessly
- Alternative secure technology solutions were introduced for non-mobile staff
- Workflows and processes were continuously adjusted to ensure safety and operational efficiency
These measures ensured business continuity while protecting employees, contractors and stakeholders.
Supporting Vulnerable Communities & Healthcare
Throughout the pandemic, NGC remained acutely aware of the needs of national stakeholders and its fenceline communities, particularly those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Key initiatives included:
- Financial and in-kind support to homes for the elderly
- Donation of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) through the
Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Lives (FEEL)
(https://feeltt.org) - National health and safety awareness campaigns aired on television and radio
- Support for immunocompromised patients, including persons living with HIV and cancer
- Assistance to a halfway house for abused infants
- Distribution of food and household hampers in:
- Couva / Tabaquite / Talparo
- La Brea
- Guayaguayare
- Tobago
In alignment with SDG 4 – Quality Education, NGC also advanced procurement of digital tablets to support distance learning for students within its local communities.
Medical Innovation Partnership with UWI
Recognising the urgent risk of local and regional shortages of critical medical equipment, NGC partnered with The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine
(https://sta.uwi.edu) to fund the development and testing of a prototype ventilator.
This collaboration supported:
- Local medical innovation
- Research and development capacity
- Entrepreneurial opportunities aligned with national healthcare needs
The partnership exemplifies how energy sector sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago can intersect with innovation, education and public health.
Looking Ahead
NGC remains committed to being an innovator and leader in sustainability, creating shared value for the company, its stakeholders and the nation. The challenges of 2020 served as a real-world stress test—strengthening resilience, validating strategic decisions, and reinforcing the importance of long-term planning.
With continued collaboration and purpose-driven leadership, NGC is confident in its ability to overcome future challenges while contributing meaningfully to national development.