Biodiversity programmes: Achieving a net positive impact on biodiversity
Our position statement and principles both state that Rio Tinto intends to have a net positive impact on biodiversity. To deliver against these commitments, it will be necessary for Rio Tinto to demonstrate convincingly that its actions have positive effects on biodiversity conservation that not only balance, but are accepted to outweigh the inevitable negative effects of the physical disturbances and changes of land associated with mining.
We aim to achieve this by reducing impacts and capitalising on conservation opportunities. The contribution of the corporate centre is to consult, set policy and guidance, conduct work programmes with partner organisations and coordinate the reporting of progress.
The opportunities for minimising negative effects and creating positives will vary greatly from one project or operating site to another. As a first step, Rio Tinto operations use mitigation measures, which include actions designed to avoid, minimise and rectify negative impacts. If after all measures are taken to mitigate impacts, there is still a net loss of biodiversity, then compensation in the form of offsets can be used to bridge, and in some cases exceed, the shortfall.
Irrespective of how committed or successful our conservation efforts are within the fence line of our operations, there is a risk of being associated with the loss of biodiversity in the wider area unless we engage in broader more inclusive conservation strategies with communities and other stakeholders.
Case Studies
Back to top