Image: Sustainable Development The way we work

Overview/introduction

The way we work

At Rio Tinto, our contribution to sustainable development, to the economic prosperity and social well being of our host societies, and the stewardship of the environment takes place within a framework of overall corporate governance distilled in our statement of business practice The way we work.

The board Committee on social and environmental accountability reviews the effectiveness of the policies and procedures in The way we work not covered by other board committees, and in particular, those relating to health, safety, environment and social issues.

The chief executive is accountable for our financial, social and environmental results. Implementation of The way we work encourages consistency of approach wherever we operate. We implement nine core corporate policies at all Group businesses: on Communities, Employment, Environment, Human rights, Land access, Occupational health, Political involvement, Safety and Sustainable Development. The document is published in 20 languages to meet the needs of our host communities and international workforce and is provided to all employees.

It is designed to ensure that employees reflect in their daily work the high standards and values we share, key among which are accountability, fairness, integrity and openness. The policy document is the key to our implementation of responsible corporate conduct.

The way we work was first published in 1998. A major revision was completed in 2002, reflecting in part the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) report on sustainable development. The revision included wide internal consultation and discussion and external benchmarking and represents shared values from around the Group.

An online training module has been introduced to familiarise employees with the policies and encourage compliance.

Read our policies set out in The way we work.

Image: Sustainable Development The way we work