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Rio Tinto believes the energy challenge can best be met by companies, governments and society working together on all fronts: fossil fuels, nuclear and the so-called "new energy" sources.

The goal in each case should be to continually improve the cost-security-cleanness equation, by fully recognising and addressing the risks involved and the achievable benefits. We are committed to maximum transparency, which is essential in this process.

Transparent reporting increases our accountability

Transparency demonstrates our openness on reporting and commitment to best practice. It also strengthens our relationships with stakeholders in our work around climate change and places us in a position to meet likely future regulatory reporting requirements.

In 2006, for the first time, we publicly disclosed specific details of our energy and greenhouse gas emissions actions. The Australian Government required us to do so by 2008 but we fulfilled our commitment in advance. This followed the Energy Efficiency Opportunities programme in 2005, which requires companies to report publicly any opportunities they find to reduce carbon emissions at their large operations.

In the late 1990s, we were one of the first companies to join the Australian government's Greenhouse Challenge programme - a voluntary initiative between government and industry to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transparency in action

We have responded to the Carbon Disclosure Project since its inception and publicly disclosed our response in full for the last four years

Rio Tinto's Sustainable development review contains information on our energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and our performance against our environmental targets.

ERM independently review our data and collection methods.