Biodiversity strategy
In 2004 Rio Tinto completed the development of a corporate strategy on biodiversity [opens in a new window]. The strategy helps to consolidate our response to biodiversity by bringing together initiatives such as Rio Tinto's significant role in the work of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), on biodiversity and partnerships with some of the world's leading conservation NGOs.
The development of the strategy was managed by a Rio Tinto steering group and supported by an external advisory panel. The internal steering group included senior representatives from Rio Tinto operations as well as Exploration, Health, Safety and Environment, and Community Relations representatives. The external advisory panel consisted of six invited international experts from conservation and community development organisations, including some of Rio Tinto's biodiversity partners.
The elements of the Rio Tinto biodiversity strategy include:
- position statement on biodiversity
- guiding principles to support our position
- a guidance note on biodiversity
- biodiversity case studies (see below)
The strategy is an expression of our commitment to contribute to sustainable development and has been developed to help our corporate and operational staff improve biodiversity performance through:
- identification of biodiversity risks and opportunities;
- development and implementation of biodiversity programmes;
- recognition of synergies and challenges with community relations programmes;
- identification and development of strategic and operational partnerships; and,
- effective corporate assurance.
The strategy provides a framework to bring together the interests and concerns of several groups, including traditional landowners, investors, employees, local communities, NGOs, regulators, the scientific community and the finance community.
The active and equitable involvement of traditional landowners, local communities and other stakeholders in decision making is seen as fundamental to the success of our biodiversity initiatives. Where initiatives are proposed that enjoy little or no local support, or where some indigenous landowners are disadvantaged, there is little prospect for their long term success. Conversely, where initiatives enjoy broad support from indigenous stakeholders the potential for long term success is greater.
Outputs from the strategy have been designed to provide the policy and guidance framework that will enable Rio Tinto people to maximise the opportunities associated with biodiversity management at business units.
Guiding principles to support our biodiversity position
Rio Tinto:
- aims to have a net positive effect on biodiversity by minimising the negative impacts of its activities and by making appropriate contributions to conservation in the regions in which it operates;
- is committed to the conservation of threatened and endemic species and high priority conservation areas, and supports local, national and global conservation initiatives;
- will seek equity and the reconciliation of differing perspectives and ideals in biodiversity decisions and actions;
- will enhance biodiversity outcomes through consultation, constructive relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders;
- will integrate the identification, evaluation and management of biodiversity issues into the planning, decision making and reporting processes throughout the business cycle;
- will apply appropriate expertise and resources to biodiversity issues, building internal and external capacity where necessary, and
- subject to appropriate consent, promotes the collection, analysis and dissemination of biodiversity information and knowledge.
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