Public commitments
Partnering
Brazilian GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Protocol – Among the various methodologies available for making inventories of greenhouse gases, the GHG Protocol is the one most commonly used around the world by companies and governments to understand, quantify and manage their gas emissions. This methodology is compatible with the ISO standards and the quantification metrics of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and it is applied in Brazil in alignment with the national context. In addition, the information generated may be applied to the reports and surveys of other initiatives, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project, the Bovespa Index of Corporate Sustainability (ISE) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In addition to being a signatory to the Brazilian GHG Protocol, Anglo American Brasil is also one of the founding members of this initiative.
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) – Anglo American is a member of ICMM, which represents the main mining and metals organizations in the world. The council ‘s vision is for a respected mining and metals industry that is widely recognized as essential for society and as a key contributor to sustainable development. The ten principles of ICMM were developed through benchmarking with other major global standards, such as Rio Declaration in 1992, the GRI and OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) for multinational groups, the operational policies of the World Bank, the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Conventions 98, 169 and 176 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
Global Pact – This is an initiative of the United Nations Organization (UNO) which has the goal of encouraging companies to adopt corporate social accountability and sustainability policies. The pact is based on principles drawn from the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Labor Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the UN Anti-Corruption Convention. It lists ten items related to labor and human rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption measures.
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights – Anglo American is also a signatory to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, which advocate respect for human rights in activities related to asset and personal security. These principles are adopted by the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Holland, as well as by mining and energy businesses and many international NGO´s. All participants interested in human rights and corporate social accountability joined in a dialogue about these issues and developed procedures to address them.
Public Policies – Anglo American invests in public policies through affirmative actions, such as active participation in the platform Empresas pelo Clima (EPC) and the Brazilian GHG Protocol, with the objective of disseminating the practice of performing greenhouse gas emission inventories and providing input for decision-making on the part of the Brazilian government with regard to climate change issues and its position at the next UN Climate Change Conference COP 16. The Anglo American Group has goals which are reported on an international level and is at the forefront of the climate change and reduction of energy consumption issues.
In 2009, Anglo American continued investing in the 2008 programs, such as the official approval of the reduction of Service Tax, the creation of the Foundation for Economic and Social Development in Barro Alto (Fundesba), participation in a legislation committee and meetings with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and in the Special Program for Water Resources at the Brazilian Mining Institute (Ibram), which has as its secretary a hydrogeology consultant who actively participates in the technical chamber of the National Program for Water Resources, in addition to participation in technical chambers, thematic groups, management and action councils of the local administrations of Niquelândia and Barro Alto, seeking the creation of a training and development program for the Democratic Master Plan of the Municipal Secretariat of Barro Alto.
Sustainable development in procurement – Compliance with the Anglo American Supplier Sustainable Development Code, which addresses environmental, labor and human rights issues, among others, is one of the preconditions for the relationship between the Company and its suppliers to remain strong and healthy.
Good Corporate Citizenship Guide
The Good Corporate Citizenship Guide sets forth the values and standards which guide Anglo American in the conduction of its business in all the countries where it operates. The Company has a long tradition of community engagement and social investment. To this end, Anglo American also seeks to generate excellent return for its shareholders and assume its accountability with regard to social and environmental issues. The Company is fully aware that its operations will perform better when the communities surrounding its units are stable and prosperous. Conducting business with a view towards the future is the essence of sustainable development.
The corporate principles in the Good Corporate Citizenship Guide were submitted, in mid-2008 and throughout 2009, to internal and external stakeholder groups so as to receive their feedback relative to the absence or insufficiency of some of these commitments. These reviews also give a clearer picture of how the Company is evaluated with regard to said commitments. After a long process of internal validation, these commitments have been fleshed out, allowing the detailing of the guidelines established to clarify both the desirable and undesirable practices by employees and other stakeholders. This detailing is part of the actions under the theme of Integrity, which will be launched in 2010.