Introduction

Our Approach to Sustainable Development

The Business Case

The Company’s commitment to sustainable development has evolved over our long history of operational experience and through lessons learned along the way. Working through complex issues associated with our operations has highlighted environmental and social performance as a critical success factor for the Company. We are well aware of the costs of getting it wrong but, more importantly, we recognise the value that can be created by getting it right. Consequently, we adopt a holistic approach to business strategy, seeking to realise value for all our stakeholders through sustainable business philosophy.

To this end, we have established a number of Group-wide processes to manage dimensions of sustainability at BHP Billiton. These are outlined in the chart below. Refer to our section on Governance for a more detailed discussion on these processes.

BHP Billiton key sustainability processes

  Key BHP Billiton Management Systems Sustainability Dimension Addressed
Governance Socio-Economic Environmental Health and Safety Community
Policies Charter • • • • •
Health, Safety, Environment and Community Policy •   • • •
Independence of Directors Policy •        
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Policy • • • • •
Guide to Business Conduct • • • • •
Employment Principles   •      
Group-wide Standards Health, Safety, Environment and Community Management Standards • • • • •
Fatal Risk Control Protocols       •  
Carbon Pricing Protocol •   •    
Closure Standard • • • • •
Investment Process Manual and Standards • • • • •
Committees HSE Committee of the Board •   • •  
Forum on Corporate Responsibility   • • • •
Risk Management and Audit Committee •        
Key Processes Annual HSEC Reporting • • • • •
Annual Financial Reporting • • • • •

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