The term "social licence to operate" (SLO) arises frequently in discussions about resource development projects. This article examines the evolution of SLO in the approval of resource development projects and its recent rise in popular use. It then considers how the concept relates to political governance and law. Finally, it assesses the implications of how SLO is being applied – for good and for bad, but most often without a proper context. Published in Volume 7, Issue 2 of Environment and Energy Bulletin by the Business Council of British Columbia.