Communication on Progress 2007 overview
The following is an overview of our progress against the ten principles of the UN Global Compact in 2007. This information has been compiled from our Annual Report 2007 and our sustainable development section of the website. In addition to the progress we have noted for each principle, 2007 also saw significant developments in health and safety and community engagement.
Principle |
Our progress |
Policy, standards and guidance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUMAN RIGHTS | |||
| 1 | Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights within their sphere of influence |
We explicitly support the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and respect human rights in conducting our operations around the world. Every employee at Rio Tinto must adhere to our human rights policy outlined in our statement of business practice The way we work. During 2007, over 1800 employees completed the human rights training module which is compulsory at general manager level or above. |
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| 2 | Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses |
We seek to ensure that Rio Tinto's presence fosters sound relationships and avoids conflict wherever we are. Rio Tinto respects and supports the dignity, well being and rights of Group employees, our families and the communities in which we live, as well as others affected by the Group's operations. Where those rights are threatened, we seek to have international standards upheld and to avoid situations that could be interpreted as condoning human rights abuses. We ensure that our equipment and facilities are not misused in violation of them. The Group's procedures for using security personnel are based on human rights principles and include guidelines and restrictions on the use of force. These procedures are reinforced by training and applied to contract security personnel as well as to Group employees. We train our staff to be aware of the rights of our people and the communities in and around where we work. Our employees are required to comply with our commitments as set out in The way we work. In 2007, all our businesses completed a comprehensive Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) to attest their compliance in the area of human rights. In 2007, there were no reported breaches of the human rights policy. We also have a confidential and independent means for employees to report issues and communicate ideas called Speak-OUT. |
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| LABOUR STANDARDS | |||
| 3 | Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining |
We recognise everyone's right to choose whether or not they wish to join a union. Consistent with local labour laws our worldwide operations have a mixture of union and non union collective employment agreements and individual agreements. |
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| 4 | The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour |
We do not use or employ forced, bonded or child labour. Rio Tinto requires all recruitment to be consistent with the human rights policy, equal opportunity requirements and relevant employee protection legislation. |
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| 5 | The effective abolition of child labour |
We do not use or employ forced, bonded or child labour. During 2007, Rio Tinto Diamonds continued to implement a Business Excellence Model to ensure their product has not been processed by child labour or in sweat shops. The Business Excellence Model accredits Indian diamond cutting customers for environmental practices and good working conditions. |
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| 6 | Eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation |
Rio Tinto requires all recruitment to be consistent with the human rights policy, equal opportunity requirements and relevant employee protection legislation. In 2007 we had a 50% increase in the proportion of women in the graduate intake compared to the 2004 baseline, and more than 1,000 employees attended regional and global leadership and functional development programmes. Rio Tinto is committed to working in partnership with indigenous communities. We are now the largest private sector employer of indigenous people in Australia and work with local communities to support intergenerational priorities for indigenous people in areas impacted by our mining operations. |
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| ENVIRONMENT | |||
| 7 | Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges |
In 2007, 100% of our sites received Environmental Management System (EMS) Certification, including all the former Alcan operations acquired by Rio Tinto in 2007. We continue to work towards our long term GHG reduction targets. Our 2007 results include a 4% reduction in on-site GHG emissions per tonne of product compared to 2005 and a 0.7% decrease in GHG emissions per tonne of product compared to our 2003 baseline. We also recorded a 4.1% decrease in freshwater withdrawn per tonne of product compared to 2003. We have participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project since its inception and in 2007 we were one of only four companies worldwide (one of only two carbon intensive companies) to achieve a perfect score in the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. During 2007, 93% of our operations (excluding projects and the Rio Tinto Exploration Business) carried out biodiversity assessments, building on the 81% that had done so in 2006. |
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| 8 | Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility |
We have devised and implemented a number of practical programmes covering the management of climate change, water, land stewardship, biodiversity, mineral and non mineral waste, air quality, and closure. Examples of our progress in 2007 include:
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| 9 | Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies |
In January 2007, Rio Tinto and BP launched Hydrogen Energy, a joint venture which will develop decarbonised energy projects. The venture will initially focus on hydrogen fuelled power generation using fossil fuels and carbon capture and storage technology to produce new large scale suppliers of clean electricity. Hydrogen Energy is Rio Tinto's first foray into new business arenas which are being opened up by climate change and energy policies. |
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| ANTI CORRUPTION | |||
| 10 | Business should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery |
We are committed to maximum transparency, consistent with good governance and commercial confidentiality. Since 2005, we have required all our managers and above to train on our business integrity guidance, which addresses areas such as political involvement, bribery, corruption and facilitation payments. Since 1 January 2007, 2811 employees have completed this training module. In 2007 we also carried out approximately 30 training sessions focusing on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act covering operations in Australia, South Africa, Namibia and India as well as at corporate HQ level. Every year, we ask each of our businesses to complete a rigorous and comprehensive Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ), to attest that they are adhering to The way we work. We do not directly or indirectly participate in party politics or make payments to political parties or individual politicians. |
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