Page 61 - Annual Report 2020

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Land and biodiversity framework development process and at industry forums. The next
The nature of our activities means we have a significant stage of framework development will be to take the individual site
responsibility for land and biodiversity management. BHP owns or data and build this into a scorecard to track biodiversity status
manages more than 8 million hectares of land and sea; however, and trends at an asset and regional level. We intend to use the Strategic Report
less than 2 per cent of it is disturbed (physical or chemical framework to track achievement of our long-term biodiversity goal:
alteration that substantially disrupts the pre-existing habitats and in line with UNSDGs 14 and 15, BHP will, by FY2030, have made
land cover) for our operational activities. a measurable contribution to the conservation, restoration and
sustainable use of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in all regions
At each of our operated assets, we look to manage threats and where we operate.
realise opportunities to achieve our environmental objectives by
applying the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, mitigate, rehabilitate and, More information on our approach to biodiversity
where appropriate, apply compensatory measures) to any potential and land management and current performance is
available at bhp.com/sustainability.
or adverse residual impacts on marine or terrestrial ecosystems.
BHP respects legally designated protected areas and commits to Air emissions Governance at BHP
avoiding areas or activities where we consider the environmental The most significant air emissions across our portfolio of operated
risk is outside BHP’s risk appetite. These include: assets relate to emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and dust.
• We do not explore or extract resources within the boundaries For information relating to GHG emissions, refer to section 1.7.8
of World Heritage-listed properties. and bhp.com/climate.
• We do not explore or extract resources adjacent to World We recognise the importance of managing and controlling the dust
Heritage-listed properties, unless the proposed activity is that mining operations can generate to minimise potential impacts
compatible with the outstanding universal values for which the on air quality, health and the environment. The updated version of
World Heritage property is listed. the Our Requirements for Environment and Climate Change
• We do not explore or extract resources within or adjacent to standard includes the requirement for operated assets that have
the boundaries of the International Union for Conservation of identified the potential for a significant air-related impact on Remuneration Report
Nature (IUCN) Protected Areas Categories I to IV, unless a plan community wellbeing, to develop an air quality plan. The plan must
is implemented that meets regulatory requirements, takes into consider in its development a stakeholder engagement strategy,
account stakeholder expectations and contributes to the values dispersion modelling, targets, objectives and reporting.
for which the protected area is listed. In FY2020, we progressed a number of actions to improve dust
• We do not operate where there is a risk of direct impacts to management at our operated assets. At Western Australia Iron Ore
ecosystems that could result in the extinction of an IUCN Red List (WAIO), we announced plans to invest up to a further A$300 million
Threatened Species in the wild. over five years to improve air quality and reduce dust emissions
• We do not dispose of mined waste rock or tailings into a river across our Pilbara operations. Operational dust control projects are
or marine environment. proposed across the entire Pilbara activities chain, including
Our operated assets are required to have plans and processes actions such as moisture management systems, ore conditioning Directors’ Report
in place that reflect local biodiversity risks and regulatory and monitoring infrastructure, and improvements to existing
requirements. In FY2020, we undertook work to develop internal controls at mines and port facilities.
guidance on biodiversity-related elements of the Our Requirements At our Mt Arthur Coal mine in the Hunter Valley, Australia, we
for Environment and Climate Change standard, to support more recently implemented a comprehensive dust control system, which
consistent interpretation and application at an asset level. We have utilises an extensive network of real-time dust and meteorological
a five-year target to improve marine and terrestrial biodiversity monitors linked to our business information platform and informs
outcomes by developing a framework by FY2022 to evaluate and the Integrated Remote Operations Centre (IROC) that controls all
verify the benefits of our actions, in collaboration with others. This of the mining activities. The innovative approach and demonstrable
is intended to allow us to better monitor, avoid, reduce and offset effect on air quality was recognised by award of the 2019 Industry
the biodiversity impacts of our activities in a coordinated way. Excellence Award from the Clean Air Society of Australia and
We started work on development of the framework in FY2018 New Zealand. Financial Statements
and are progressing this work with Conservation International In Chile, the Spence mine has developed an air quality strategy
and with Proteus, a voluntary partnership between the UN focusing on air quality monitoring, dust management controls,
Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre and protecting our workforce and engaging stakeholders.
12 extractive industry companies. During FY2020, we continued
to pilot initial stages of the methodology agreed with partners for For more information on current initiatives to improve our
framework development at a number of BHP operated assets and dust management performance, see our ‘How strategic dust
projects. We shared findings of our pilots as part of the Proteus-led management is improving our air emissions’ case study at bhp.com. Additional information

BHP Annual Report 2020 59 Shareholder information