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Building Global Links

We are committed to proactive involvement in a number of initiatives that contribute to improving the sustainability of the industry. Our individual businesses are also actively engaged through their sectoral organisations at national and international levels.

Some of the principal industry associations we are involved in at the commodity level include:

The major externally developed voluntary initiatives that we are involved in or are progressively implementing (the date in brackets indicates the year in which we commenced our involvement) include:

We are actively involved in the Mining Certification Evaluation Project to evaluate whether an independent certification process of environmental and social performance can be applied to the mining sector. The research and development exercise is led by World Wide Fund for Nature with participation from a Working Group comprising representatives of mining companies, NGOs, trade unions, government agencies, financial and accounting organisations and research institutions. The aim of the project is to build consensus on measurable and auditable standards for site-based performance. See our case study on the Mining Certification Evaluation Project for further details.

We also collaborate with governments, NGOs and academic institutions worldwide to undertake and support research on improving HSEC performance. Examples are the case studies on our HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa and Mozambique, the Medicines for Malaria Venture, the TB screening program at Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada, the diesel emission project at Illawarra Coal in Australia, the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry in South Africa, and coal bed methane studies.

Refer to the following sections for further details on our activities with the following organisations:

International Council on Mining and Metals

We have continued to be active in the work program of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) (see www.icmm.com/index.php). The ICMM was established in 2001 as a global leadership body on sustainable development. ICMM members believe that the mining, minerals and metals industry acting collectively can best ensure continued access to land, capital and markets as well as build trust and respect by demonstrating the ability to contribute successfully to sustainable development. ICMM members offer strategic industry leadership towards achieving continuous improvements in sustainable development performance in the industry. ICMM provides a common platform for the industry to share challenges and responsibilities as well as to engage key constituencies on issues of common concern at the international level, based on the science and principles of sustainable development. ICMM’s mission is underpinned by a commitment to good governance and transparent decision-making processes within the organisation.

An important part of the establishment process of the ICMM has been the development of the Sustainable Development Framework, a guiding set of principles endorsed by all member companies. Through the ICMM, we also participate in joint programs in the area of mining and biodiversity, including the development of principles and related reporting criteria.

One of the ICMM’s current projects is the ICMM/GRI Minerals Sector Supplement, which is a multi-stakeholder project to develop additional guidelines on sustainability reporting for the mining and minerals industry. In addition to mining industry representatives, the working group includes NGOs, SRI fund managers, and World Bank, union and indigenous peoples representatives.

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UN Global Compact

The UN Global Compact (see www.unglobalcompact.org/Portal/Default.asp) was introduced on 31 January 1999, when UN Secretary General Kofi Annan challenged business leaders to join an international initiative that would bring companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society to support nine principles in the areas of human rights, labour and the environment. A tenth principle, anti-corruption, was added when the Global Compact’s operational phase was launched on 24 June 2004. Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalisation. In this way, the private sector can help realise the Secretary General’s vision for a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.

With regard to the Global Compact’s core values in the area of labour standards, while we fully recognise the right of our employees to freely associate and join trade unions, at a number of locations we have a mix of collective and individual arrangements. Prospective employees are made aware of employment arrangements prior to joining the Company. At all times, our businesses comply with local employment law requirements and treat employees in accordance with the values expressed in our Charter. Refer to our section on Freedom of association for further details in this regard.

To see how we are progressing against the principles outlined in the Global Compact, refer to our Global Compact progress assessment.

A copy of our letter to the United Nations is available on our website (see www.bhpbilliton.com/bb/sustainableDevelopment/policiesAndKeyDocuments.jsp).

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Global Reporting Initiative

This year we have again produced our Full HSEC Report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (see www.global reporting.org/). We are also an organisational stakeholder of the GRI. The GRI is a multi-stakeholder process developing and disseminating sustainability reporting guidelines that are globally applicable. These guidelines are for voluntary use by organisations for reporting on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of their activities, products and services. The GRI incorporates the active participation of representatives from business, accountancy, investment, environmental, human rights, research and labour organisations from around the world. Established in 1997, GRI became an independent institution in 2002 and is an official collaborating centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and works in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact. We are involved with the Global Reporting Initiative Stakeholder Council, which is helping to advance the GRI.

Reporting in accordance with the GRI guidelines is an evolving process, as our reporting systems continue to enhance the information reported. Due to the size and complexity of our business, judgements have had to be made regarding the extent of the information that can be presented in relation to each GRI indicator.

To see how and where we have addressed the GRI Indicators, refer to our GRI navigator.

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World Business Council for Sustainable Development

We have maintained our membership of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) (see www.wbcsd.org). The WBCSD is a coalition of 170 international companies set up in 1991 and united by a shared commitment to sustainable development. The WBCSD has a network of 45 national and regional business councils and partner organisations located in 40 countries. Its mission is to provide business leadership as a catalyst for change towards sustainable development and to promote the role of eco-efficiency, innovation and corporate social responsibility.

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