Non-Government Organisations
Who are they?
Non-government organisations (NGOs) with which we typically engage include environmental, social and human rights organisations at both local and international levels.
Interests and Concerns
NGOs have a broad-ranging interest in our operations and their performance. This may include the social and environmental performance of existing, proposed or closed operations. Additionally there is increasing interest in our broader policy positions on issues such as climate change and human rights.
Dialogue
Each of our operations is required to identify its relevant local NGOs and include mechanisms for engagement with them within the site's community relations plan.
At the Corporate level, we regularly engage with relevant national and international organisations. A number of major international NGOs are represented on our Forum on Corporate Responsibility.
Forum on Corporate Responsibility
The BHP Billiton Forum on Corporate Responsibility (FCR) brings together representatives of our senior management team, the leaders of several key NGOs, and community opinion leaders to discuss and debate social and environmental matters relevant to the Company.
The Forum meets twice a year. Mike Salamon, Group President, Non-Ferrous Metals, BHP Billiton, is Chairman and Holly Lindsay, BHP Billiton's Vice President Public Policy and Business Conduct, is Secretary.
Forum members have an opportunity to provide advice and to challenge the views of our senior management on broad sustainable development issues. The Company is not bound by the advice of the FCR, and the FCR does not necessarily endorse the Company's decisions. The Forum provides a means for direct and open dialogue about issues of interest to the wider community.
During the year the Forum has discussed a range of diverse topics, including climate change, certification and product stewardship, and free prior informed consent. Formal feedback from our external members indicates that the Forum has evolved into a solid relationship, based on mutual trust, open exchange of issues and ideas and a shared framework of interests.
See our Forum on Corporate Responsibility Member Profiles.
Download a summary of all BHP Billiton Stakeholder Relationships.
