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Our Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

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We recognise the importance of protecting and conserving biodiversity, and the dependency of people, communities and society on healthy functioning ecosystems, including for the preservation of cultural heritage. 

We acknowledge the continued decline of global biodiversity and subsequent need to halt and reverse biodiversity loss as recognised in the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (2019). 

As stewards of the lands and waters upon which South32 operates, we understand our responsibility to minimise impacts to the environment, to rehabilitate areas disturbed by our activities and to collaborate with partners to support regional approaches to biodiversity conservation. 

Our commitments

We are committed to:

  • Avoiding exploring or mining in UNESCO World Heritage sites and to respecting legally designated protected areas1;
  • Aiming to achieve no net loss of biodiversity for all new projects and major expansions to existing projects, and minimising our operational impacts through all stages of the mining lifecycle2;
  • Collaborating with others to contribute towards nature positive outcomes within the broader bioregions, communities and cultural landscapes in which we operate; and
  • Transparent disclosure of our biodiversity conservation progress and performance.

Through our approach to biodiversity conservation, we aim to support the vision, goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Meeting our commitments

The principles that support us to meet our commitments are outlined below:

Applying the mitigation hierarchy

We assess and seek to address risks and impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services by implementing the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimise, rehabilitate/restore and offset)³.

Applying a context-based approach

We seek to understand the biodiversity values within and adjacent to each of our operations, the pressure exerted on biodiversity values by human activity and the physical impacts of climate change.

Governance

We analyse the effectiveness of our governance and management processes to continuously improve our biodiversity performance.

sun overlooking the desert

Progressive rehabilitation and closure planning

We undertake progressive and post-closure rehabilitation at our operations where practicable, to mitigate our environmental impact and restore ecosystems and habitats.

Stakeholder engagement

We actively engage and collaborate with relevant experts, research institutions, Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples, our communities and other stakeholders.

Knowledge sharing

We participate in relevant regional and global biodiversity conservation groups and forums, and industry associations to collaborate, gain and share knowledge.

Our management approach

Our approach to biodiversity conservation aims to minimise impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the mining lifecycle, promote improved conservation outcomes and enhance business continuity.

  • We require all operations to undertake a biodiversity risk and opportunity screening exercise at least every five years, including not only direct operational aspects but also pressures on the surrounding bioregions, which could be influenced by factors such as the physical impacts of climate change and changes in land use.
  • The screening process encompasses an adaptive and integrated approach (incorporating relevant knowledge and expertise) and utilises globally recognised methodology and tools, such as the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT).
  • The process enables us to update our operational and project risk profiles, and identify opportunities to promote improved biodiversity conservation outcomes within the bioregions in which we operate, such as investing in regional conservation initiatives and collaborating with other stakeholders on biodiversity research.
  • The outcomes also allow us to identify, prioritise and provision for strategic land acquisitions, mitigation measures, conservation initiatives (including biodiversity research) and progressive rehabilitation activities required to minimise operational risks.
  • Identified biodiversity-related impacts associated with our activities are captured within our system of risk management. Controls are developed with consideration of the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy, and through consultation with relevant experts and operational personnel.
  • Continuous monitoring and verification programs are used to monitor and report operational performance, verify compliance with adopted performance criteria and internal standards, and facilitate corporate and regulatory reporting requirements.
  • We maintain processes at each of our operations to comply with local laws and environmental regulatory requirements. Where applicable laws and regulation differ from the commitments in this approach, we seek to follow the higher standard in alignment with our purpose.
  • Where there is a conflict between local laws and this approach, we will comply with applicable laws first and foremost, while seeking to meet our biodiversity conservation commitments.
  • We monitor, assess and respond to environmental regulatory reforms within the jurisdictions in which we operate, to help our biodiversity management practices remain current and fit-for-purpose. 
  • TSF failure contingency and emergency response plans specific to each TSF are prepared and routinely tested, considering the hazards and consequence category of each TSF. This includes the involvement of relevant local communities and emergency response agencies.
  • We recognise restoration and progressive rehabilitation are a critical step of the biodiversity mitigation hierarchy.
  • Progressive rehabilitation activities are integrated into our life of operation planning processes as a core component of our closure management. This is underpinned by monitoring and an adaptive management approach.
  • We consult with local communities, scientific institutions and regulatory authorities to understand expectations and establish performance requirements to enable our restoration and rehabilitation activities to contribute towards the resilience of the broader landscape.
  • Our operations monitor performance against land, biodiversity and rehabilitation metrics within their area of influence.
  • We assess performance against biodiversity indicators appropriate to our operating areas4 to track status and pursue improved biodiversity conservation outcomes.
  • We review our approach and commitments against new and emerging biodiversity and nature guidance and are working towards defining goals and targets to drive biodiversity conservation outcomes.
  • Continuous improvement forms part of our sustainability approach, allowing our environmental performance to evolve and respond to new and emerging environmental management and biodiversity conservation practices. We collaborate with leading researchers and land management partners to explore new techniques and opportunities.
  • We allocate resources to address biodiversity-related risks, impacts, dependencies and opportunities to enable continual improvement and innovative approaches to biodiversity, rehabilitation and restoration management. We monitor and track the effectiveness of our activities and apply an adaptive management approach.
  • We actively engage in forums, seek to participate in industry bodies and collaborate with Indigenous, Traditional and Tribal Peoples and local communities, government and non-government organisations, to promote improved biodiversity conservation outcomes at local, regional and international levels.
  • We have established local conservation partnerships at some of our operations and are working to establish broader regional-level conservation partnerships to support our contribution to nature positive outcomes.
  • We report biodiversity-related performance data through our Annual Reporting Suite, and to relevant regulatory agencies as required in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
  • We engage in working groups and forums to help develop and implement global reporting frameworks, and we review our current reporting and disclosure approach to take account of new and evolving standards and initiatives, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and the Global Reporting Initiative: Biodiversity Standard 101.

What guides us

 

Our approach to biodiversity conservation is guided by ICMM Mining Principles (ICMM.com) 4 – Risk Management, 6 – Environmental Performance and 7 – Conservation of Biodiversity, and the ICMM Position Statement on Nature (ICMM.com). We support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Global Compact Environment Principle.

Governance

Our Board has ultimate responsibility for our company's governance and strategic direction. The Sustainability Committee assists the Board in its oversight of our sustainability management, performance, assurance and reporting practises. This includes endorsing our publicly disclosed biodiversity commitments and monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of our management approach.

Our commitment to biodiversity conservation is supported by our Board-approved Sustainability Policy and managed through our internal environment, social performance, reporting and closure standards, which are supplemented by operational procedures that account for local and regional biodiversity conservation needs and regulatory requirements.

Management accountability is assigned to our Chief Operating Officers (implementation at operations), Chief Technical Officer (standards and stewardship) and Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer (strategy and disclosure).

We periodically undertake internal assurance, and independent third-party assurance where appropriate, to assess compliance with our internal standards, as well as the ICMM Mining Principles and associated Performance Expectations, with a view to continually improving biodiversity management and performance across our operating footprint.

Application

Our approach will be reviewed every two years, or more frequently, if necessary, so it remains relevant and appropriate to South32’s biodiversity conservation activities. It was approved by our Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer in June 2024.

 

1 As defined in ICMM Mining Principle 7, Performance Expectation 7.1.
2 As defined in ICMM Mining Principle 7, Performance Expectation 7.2.
3 As defined in ICMM Mining Principle 7, Performance Expectation 7.2.
4 Please refer to our Annual Reporting Suite

Related information

Biodiversity

We recognise the importance of protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services and aim to achieve no net loss for all new projects and major expansions.

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Sustainability approach

Our approach to sustainability focuses on areas that are material to our business and stakeholders.

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