Joint activities will include conducting independent assurance reviews; piloting new standards and guidance on achieving a net positive impact for biodiversity; and, exploring how a nature-based solutions approach can contribute to the company’s biodiversity conservation and carbon neutral goals at its operations.
More specifically, between 2021 and 2023, the collaboration will undertake to:
- Conduct independent assurance reviews, piloting new standards and guidance for net positive impacts for biodiversity and carbon management that contribute to the company’s carbon neutral goals at its operations; and,
- Produce new guidance following the review of the company’s biodiversity conservation and land management goals for its managed land assets, and recommendations on practical short-term improvements.
Furthermore, IUCN and Anglo American will work together developing new approaches on applying nature-based solutions and the latest technology to transform the way Anglo American discovers, operates and develops mining operations across the full mining lifecycle. These activities include impact management, restoration, compensation and offset activities as well as carbon management to complement positive environmental outcomes that promote healthy landscapes and ecosystem services as well as long-term socio-economic sustainability.
Background
Anglo American recognises that they need to invest in nature-based solutions and be responsible stewards of the natural resources as well as the environment they work in. The company’s Sustainable Mining Plan is embedded in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and is part of its FutureSmart Mining™ programme.
IUCN’s Business and Biodiversity Programme focuses on three key areas of work to drive the changes required to deliver on IUCN’s global conservation and sustainable development goals. These key elements are: valuing biodiversity, promoting biodiversity net gain and investing in nature-based solutions.
In addition, IUCN has a mandate from its Members to work with heavy footprint industries, such as the extractives sector. Under its Extractives Sector Operational Framework, it aims to: reduce negative impacts from extractive activities on biodiversity, ecosystem services and natural resource dependent livelihoods; champion the highest possible biodiversity net gain related to extractive sector operations as well as additional conservation benefits derived from improved land and sea management; and, drive the sector toward a low carbon economic development model, while highlighting the risks of any negative consequences on people and nature.
