Moving from Consultation to Consent?
The IFC Performance Standards require that projects with potentially significant impacts conduct ‘Free, Prior, Informed Consultation’ (FPIC) and demonstrate ‘Broad Community Support’ (BCS). Will these requirements move towards the concept of ‘Consent’ particularly in the context of Indigenous Peoples? Read the rest of this entry »
Can CSR in Mining deliver MDG and Reputational Lift?
On March 6, 2010, the Canadian CSR Councilor, Marketa Evans, delivered her key note speech on 21st Century CSR at the Mining, People and Environment event which preceded the Prospector & Developer Association of Canada’s (PDAC) convention in Toronto. Her comments provided some food for thought and raised interesting discussions. Read the rest of this entry »
New GRI Mining & Metals Supplement Helps Application Level Determination
On March 7 2010, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) launched its Mining & Metals Sector Supplement during the Prospector & Developer Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto. Will this impact determination of GRI Application Levels of sustainability reports? Read the rest of this entry »
Size Matters – at least for CSR/GRI Reporting in Mining Sector
The Toronto Stock Exchange is a world leader in the resources sector and home to 55% of the world’s public mining companies. I was wondering how many of these public firms produce formal CSR and/or GRI-type sustainability reports? Read the rest of this entry »
IFC Performance Standards:Lessons Learned
In my March 2010 publication in the Mining.com Magazine, I reviewed the genesis, significance and key challenges associated with the IFC Performance Standards. This review is focussed on mining/extractives and takes into account as seen also from discussions with participants of over 20 workshops and training courses delivered in Canada, China, Panamoa, Peru, UK and Venezuela since 2006. Read the rest of this entry »
Continued Industry Opposition to CSR Bill C-300 in Canada
Clear lines in the sand about CSR Bill C-300 targeting Canadian extractive companies operating abroad: mining advocacy NGOs are in favor and industry is opposed. But what are administrative implications in terms of possible case load emerging from adoption of this Bill? Read the rest of this entry »
GRI Sustainability Reporting in the Public Sector
According to GRI, public agencies account for less than 2% of sustainability reporters in 2009. In addition to poor uptake, this may also indicate an inconsistent and outdated approach to classification based on ownership concepts instead of sustainability profile and performance. Read the rest of this entry »
Review of 3 years of IFC Performance Standards
Prompted by client questions, I revisited IFC’s Report on the First Three Years of Application of IFC’s Policy and Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability and Policy on Disclosure of Information. IFC’s client surveys shows that 21 percent said the cost of PS implementation might negatively influence future decisions to work with IFC. Read the rest of this entry »
Equator Principles: Mining, Oil & Gas Deal Transparency
Used to more user friendly disclosure practices of multilateral financial institutions like the IFC or the EBRD, advocacy groups lament lack of deal transparency by Equator Banks. Although there is room for improvement, I wonder if the existing market transparency is already being leveraged enough. Read the rest of this entry »
Oil sands make the most sustainable corporations list
Canadian-based Corporate Knights announced its sixth annual Global 100 list of the most sustainable large corporations in the world. This includes oil sands players, Suncor, Nexen and Shell, and provides also other surprises. Read the rest of this entry »