Our performance
Every year, we report on our sustainable development performance through a number of channels. In addition to the performance highlights in our Annual report, we publish information on our programmes and performance data on these web pages. We also report under other voluntary commitments, including:
- Global Reporting Initiative
- International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) Sustainable Development Framework
- Millennium Development Goals
- United Nations Global Compact
- Carbon Disclosure Project
- Corporate Responsibility Index
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- FTSE4Good
Reporting at a Group level
The way we work, our global code of business conduct, outlines our commitment for maximum transparency consistent with good governance and commercial confidentiality. It also outlines our approach to internal controls and Group records management to ensure the sustainable development section of our Annual report gives a true and fair view of our affairs.
Our sustainable development data are reported for calendar years and, unless otherwise stated, represent 100 per cent of the parameter at each managed operation, even though Rio Tinto may have only partial ownership.
We report in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 guidelines. Accordingly, we use a materiality assessment to help us focus this report on those issues that are most important to our internal and external stakeholders. Omission from the material issues covered in our report does not mean that the issue is not managed by the company.
We have implemented ICMM's sustainable development framework and disclosed the alignment of our policies, strategies, standards and practices with ICMM's principles and position statements.
We collect health, safety, environment and community data using industry standard techniques consistent with Rio Tinto standards. Our standards are applicable to all Rio Tinto business units and managed operations, including new acquisitions, administration / corporate offices and research facilities located off site at all stages of their lifecycle.
We apply global definitions and guidance to ensure consistency and comparability between operations. We store data, which is queried and aggregated to the Group level, in a central database to avoid manual intervention.
In line with Rio Tinto standards our calculations use formulae from relevant industry protocols (for example the GRI, the International Organization for Standardisation and the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) where available.
The most accurate practical measurements of input data are used in our calculations, for example invoiced quantities with stockpile adjustments or measurements from equipment located at the point of use or abstraction. Where measurement equipment is not in place, input data is determined using reasonable estimates.
The most accurate and practically available emission factors and calorific values are used in our calculations. For example where we do not examine the composition of fuels ourselves, we use (in order of priority) factors provided by our suppliers, regional sources or reporting schemes, the IPCC or the International Energy Agency.
Data reported in previous years may be modified if business or Group verification processes detect material errors, or if changes are required to historic data to ensure comparability with current year data (eg updating emission factor assumptions).
Wherever possible, data for operations acquired prior to 1 October during the reporting period are collected for inclusion in Rio Tinto datasets. Divested operations are included in our data collection processes up until the transfer of management control.
Descriptions of the systems and approaches we use to manage sustainable development issues have been reviewed for factual accuracy by internal subject matter experts.
We used the independent professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to provide the board of directors of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited assurance on selected sustainable development subject matter. A statement from PricewaterhouseCoopers is available on the Assurance page.
Each of our business units are required to produce their own local sustainable development reports.
