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Our approach
Our approach
We aim to develop natural resources sustainably and with care, to create value and opportunities for people today and in the future.
Developing natural resources to change lives for the better
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Developing natural resources to change people’s lives for the better
Sustainability is at the heart of our purpose and underpins the delivery of our strategy. Our approach to sustainability comprises five interconnected pillars which focus on areas that are material to our business and stakeholders.
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Guided by global initiatives and standards
Our Sustainability Policy is guided by international standards and initiatives, including the ICMM Mining Principles, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Ten Principles, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
ICMM Mining Principles
ICMM Mining Principles
ICMM Mining Principles
ICMM Mining Principles, Performance Expectations and Position Statements have been incorporated into our internal standards and support our Sustainability Policy and Code of Business Conduct.
Alignment to these principles and position statements are assessed as part of our annual third-party assurance process.
UN SDGs
UN SDGs
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations Member States have agreed to develop a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our approach supports the UN SDGs, and we work with stakeholders to develop and implement actions that contribute to sustainable development.
Milestones on our road to net zero
Our approach to climate change is integrated with our strategy and is designed to protect and unlock long-term value, build operational resilience, and enhance our competitiveness in a low-carbon world. As a global mining and metals company, we have an important role to play in responding to the risks and opportunities of climate change: to produce commodities that are critical in the transition to a low-carbon world; and to do so in a way that seeks to minimise our impact.
2016
Set our long-term goal¹ to achieve net zero operational GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050
2021
Achieved our first GHG emissions reduction target² of keeping our Scope 1 GHG emissions below our FY15 baseline
2035
Meet our target² of halving our operational GHG emissions, compared to our FY21 baseline
2050
Achieve our goal¹ of net zero GHG emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3)
South32 at a glance
Our FY23 Underlying EBIT was US$1,616M
More financial information: Investors Financial & operational results Annual Reporting Suite
Our approach aligns with international standards and initiatives, including the ICMM Mining Principles and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
safety performance
1.4
FY23 Lost Time Injury Frequency (per million hours worked)1
reducing our emissions
2050
Goal2 of net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3)
inclusion and diversity
≥40%
Our target for all gender representation metrics by FY29
1 Incidents are included where South32 controls the work location or controls the work activity. Lost time injuries include injuries that result in one or more lost work days after the day of the event.
2 ‘Goal’ is defined as an ambition to seek an outcome for which there is no current pathway(s), but for which efforts will be pursued towards addressing that challenge, subject to certain assumptions or conditions.
More sustainability information: Sustainability Environment Communities and society Climate change
Sustainability in action
Female mine truck operator training at Cerro Matoso
Female mine truck operator training at Cerro Matoso
To improve the representation of women in operational and leadership roles, our Cerro Matoso operation in Colombia has invested in several training, recruitment, and leadership initiatives. One program is providing mine truck operator training to women from 25 local communities.
Hillside Aluminium supports victims of gender-based violence
Hillside Aluminium supports victims of gender-based violence
Our Hillside Aluminium operation marked the beginning of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based violence by handing over seven newly built ‘park home’ units to LifeLine Zululand in the King Cetshwayo, uMhkanyakude and Zululand districts.
New sustainable facility for local children in Meyerton, South Africa
New sustainable facility for local children in Meyerton, South Africa
A new ZAR44.7 million sustainable facility was completed in 2022 for Kotulong Community Centre (KCC), a local Non-Government Organisation working with vulnerable children in Gauteng.
National award for GEMCO biosecurity program
National award for GEMCO biosecurity program
Our GEMCO team, in partnership with the Anindilyakwa Land Council won an Australian Biosecurity Award in the category Best Environmental Biosecurity program, for their work keeping Groote Eylandt free of introduced and invasive plant and animal species such as cane toads.
Annual Reporting Suite FY23
"I’m Karen Wood, Chair of South32
We published our first Climate Change Action Plan in September 2022 and received strong shareholder support for the Plan."
Footnotes
1 ‘Goal’ is defined as an ambition to seek an outcome for which there is no current pathway(s), but for which efforts will be pursued towards addressing that challenge, subject to certain assumptions or conditions.
2 ‘Target’ is defined as an intended outcome in relation to which we have identified one or more pathways for delivery of that outcome, subject to certain assumptions or conditions.
This page contains forward looking statements, including statements in relation to climate change and other environmental and energy transition scenarios. While these forward-looking statements reflect South32’s expectations at the date of publishing the 2023 Sustainable Development Report, they may be affected by a range of variables which could cause actual outcomes and developments to differ materially from those expressed in such statements.South32 makes no representation, assurance or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or likelihood of fulfilment of any forward-looking statement, any outcomes expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement or any assumptions on which a forward-looking statement is based.
