Late last year BHP Billiton published a report relating to its membership of industry associations which hold an active position on climate and energy policy.
BHP has left the World Coal Association as well as three other associations related to minerals.
The review focused on 10 climate and energy policies identified as being of key importance to BHP, with seven material differences in position identified across three associations:
- The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA)
- The United States Chamber of Commerce;
- The World Coal Association (WCA).
As a consequence, BHP this year decided to exit the WCA, in light of the identified difference and the narrower activities of benefit to BHP from membership.
Chief External Affairs Officer, Geoff Healy, said while no industry association represents the views of any single member, they are important for sharing best practice, the development of technical standards and policy and to bring together technical expertise and experience.
“Active participation within industry associations is an opportunity for BHP to improve its own performance and to support industry as a whole in making a positive contribution.”
“While we won’t always agree with our industry associations, we will continue to call out material differences where they exist and we will take action where necessary,” he said.
“Importantly, we will also continue to communicate our own views directly to investors, governments and civil society and we will redouble our efforts to engage, clearly and constructively, with our industry associations to positively influence the position they take on matters important to our Company.”