LEADERSHIP

Industry backs climate change agreement

THE International Council on Mining & Metals has written to the United Nations to pledge support ...

Kristie Batten
Industry backs climate change agreement

ICMM CEO Tom Butler sent to letter to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary Christiana Figueres to offer support on behalf of the group's 23 member companies.

In his letter, Butler said climate change was an undeniable and critical global challenge, and its causes must be addressed by all parts of society, including the mining sector.

"We support a price on carbon, and other market mechanisms that drive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and incentivise innovation," the letter said.
 
"We recognise the need to reduce emissions from the use of coal, and support collaborative approaches to accelerate the use of low-emission coal technologies as part of a measured transition to a lower-emissions energy mix.

"That transition should recognise the importance of coal in the global economy, and particularly in the developing world."

Butler wrote that the ICMM supported a greater use of renewable energy and other cost-effective low-emission technologies, including in the mining sector.
 
"We will help our host communities, and equip our operations, to adapt to the physical impact of climate change," the letter said.
 
"We will continue to ensure that climate change is a part of our planning process.
 
"We will engage with our peers, governments and society to share solutions and develop effective climate change policy."

The letter was endorsed by the CEOs of the member companies.

ICMM's members are Glencore, South32, BHP Billiton, Newmont Mining, Teck Resources, Barrick Gold, Anglo American, Hydro, MMG, JX Nippon Mining & Metals, Rio Tinto, AngloGold Ashanti, Freeport McMoRan, Goldcorp, Lonmin, Codelco, Areva, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co, African Rainbow Minerals, Polyus Gold, Gold Fields, and Antofagasta.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.