Dialogue in 2006
In 2006 our focus remained on fostering constructive stakeholder relationships and seeking feedback.
Each year, our sites seek feedback on a range of topics relevant to their stakeholders and the Company (read more: Local and Indigenous Communities and Case Studies).
At the Corporate level, a diverse group of non-government organisations, academics, investment analysts, government and industry representatives, and employees are invited to participate in annual interactive workshops that seek specific feedback on this Report and key sustainability topics.
The topics are selected according to the level of stakeholder interest and enquiries received. The range of views and depth of understanding by participants of the topics make for a challenging and engaging workshop, and the ideas expressed become a critical consideration for our decision-making on these topics.
In 2006 some 40 external participants attended the workshop that sought comment on:
- Key sustainability topics – biodiversity and uranium
- Our approach to reporting – its relevance and effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
Biodiversity was selected as a topic of discussion in recognition of the Company's ability to impact the biodiversity values of the areas in which it operates. Our public commitment to the ICMM Sustainable Development Framework Principles and the UN Global Compact includes the commitment to improve our biodiversity performance.
Uranium was raised in recognition of stakeholder concerns regarding the Company’s newest commodity acquisition. In 2005, ownership of the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia was transferred to BHP Billiton as part of its acquisition of WMC Resources Ltd.
During the discussion a number of key themes emerged, though it is recognised that consensus was not achieved between all participants. A summary of comments follows.
Biodiversity
Discussion themes:
- Consider the Company's role at a local – that is, individual operation – and regional basis, including investment in natural and social capital
- Offsets – defined as improving the biodiversity value of a separate area of land to account for the environmental impact of the mining operation – are a generally acceptable practice, if done in conjunction with a sound approach to mine site rehabilitation and having clear measures for the 'offset' protection
- Biodiversity needs to be clearly linked to BHP Billiton's business case for sustainable development.
Quotes from the Dialogue session:
"BHP Billiton needs a stronger regional context for thinking about biodiversity planning and management on its sites; it's about the conservation of genes, species and ecosystems in regions and global 'biodiversity hotspots'. It's much more than the environmental management of particular species of plants and animals on sites."
Allen Kearns, Deputy Chief of Business Integration, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
“There are huge gains to be harnessed from looking at offsets, not just direct site rehabilitation.”
George Littlewood, Adjunct Professor, Deakin University
Uranium
Discussion themes:
- Develop a comprehensive uranium stewardship model that considers product safety, waste management, non-proliferation and business risk
- Be transparent and provide information to a wide range of stakeholders
- Work actively with the uranium supply chain to identify and mitigate risks.
Quotes from the Dialogue session:
“Industry has to take responsibility for the security of its sector (alongside existing government responsibility”
Francis Grey, Research Manager – Australia/New Zealand, Sustainable Asset Management
“Clarify accountability throughout the full life cycle and how you will influence in each area.”
Gavin Murray, Head of Sustainability, ANZ Institutional
Our Approach to Reporting
During the discussion participants ranked the value of various sections of our 2005 Sustainability Report. A number of key themes emerged, though it is recognised that consensus was not achieved between all participants.
The 2005 Sustainability Report was acknowledged as a comprehensive document, with particular support given for the Company performance summaries and the case studies. In the previous reporting period our performance summaries received the lowest average score so it was pleasing to see our efforts to improve acknowledged. The global sustainability issues rated by all stakeholders as being important enough to warrant consideration in BHP Billiton's sustainability reporting are:
Going forward, it was recommended that BHP Billiton continue its current focus on:
Areas identified as requiring greater focus were:
- Uranium stewardship
- Providing more detail on the Company's biodiversity activities
- Sustainable technology research and development
- The Company's position on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
- Providing greater detail on the severity of injuries sustained in our workplaces.
Queries were also raised regarding our timeliness of reporting on some fatalities and revised data since the integration of the WMC business.
Out of respect for the affected families and legal constaints, learning from fatalities and serious accidents may be delayed until after legal proceedings are finalised. With regards to the integration of WMC data, the timing of the WMC acquisition in the financial year (June 2005) and variations between the two companies' data collection and reporting systems meant we were unable to commence full reporting of data from former WMC sites until this reporting year (read more: Report Parameters).
