Elemental Clean Fuels

Case studies

Sector
Energy Intensive Industry and Industrial Precincts
Region
North America

UN SDGs

Indigenous partnerships and economic reconciliation in delivering the clean energy

Challenge

Achieving a just transition is as important as reaching net zero. As investment in clean energy infrastructure accelerates, investors have a responsibility to ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared equitably. For First Nations and Indigenous communities, this includes meaningful engagement, participation in decision-making, workforce opportunities and access to long-term economic benefits from projects developed on or near traditional lands. Supporting economic reconciliation while delivering new energy infrastructure is therefore an increasingly important consideration for investors seeking to create positive social outcomes alongside decarbonisation.

Context

Quinbrook’s October 2025 investment in Elemental Clean Fuels emphasises the opportunity set in partnering with Indigenous groups as part of the energy transition. Committed to both Indigenous partnerships and economic reconciliation, the Elemental Clean Fuels leadership team previously led the development of Cedar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world’s first Indigenous-majority-owned LNG export facility and largest Indigenous owned infrastructure project in Canadian history, developed in partnership with the Haisla Nation and currently under construction in Kitimat, British Columbia. Elemental Clean Fuels is continuing this model, working in partnership with Indigenous Nations, municipalities, and industrial customers to deliver clean energy solutions that match community and market needs.

The Elemental Clean Fuels platform exemplifies Quinbrook’s approach to integrating strong social outcomes with infrastructure development. Elemental Clean Fuels projects incorporate local workforce participation, robust H&S practices, and engagement with Indigenous stakeholders during planning, commercial negotiations and delivery, demonstrating how targeted social considerations can be embedded alongside commercial and environmental objectives.

Solution

During 2025, Quinbrook continued to formalise its just transition investment frameworks and enhance consistency across the portfolio on the management and monitoring of labour standards, health and safety, and engagement with communities and First Nations. Specifically, Quinbrook, in partnership with Private Energy Partners teams:

Strengthened H&S governance through enhanced policies, clearer accountability, improved escalation processes, and consistent minimum standards across assets.
Enhanced H&S controls by refining reporting metrics and improving alignment between contractual requirements and site-level implementation.
Strengthened modern slavery and labour standards controls through enhanced contractor due diligence, contractual requirements, and worker monitoring.
Developed a global Community Relations Policy.
Commenced development of a First Nations Engagement Strategy focused on culturally appropriate engagement, benefit sharing, and opportunities for training and contracting, supporting the firm’s broader commitment to achieving a Reconciliation Plan in 2026.
Continued engagement with contractors, suppliers, and local communities across development projects.