Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) is one of five product groups operated by Rio Tinto, a leading international mining group. It is a global supplier of quality bauxite, alumina and aluminum and operates 42 sites over the world (bauxite mines, smelter-grade alumina refineries, specialty alumina plants, smelters, power facilities), employing 24,000 people in 27 countries. RTA owns, operates or has interests in 6 bauxite mines and deposits in 4 countries, 10 alumina refineries in 5 countries, including 1 in Canada, 23 smelters in 10 countries, including 7 in Canada and 12 power stations in 4 countries. RTA operates 19 sites in Canada (including 7 hydro power plants and 4 supporting facilities) and employs 8,300 people in Canada.
Unilever’s activity on sustainable agriculture occurs within a corporate policy framework that commits the company to ‘minimise any adverse effects on soil fertility, water and air quality, and biodiversity from agricultural activities’.
New market mechanisms which aim to compensate unavoidable loss in biodiversity are currently being developed, and some are already up and running. Mitigation banking is a new way to foster biodiversity conservation initiatives in very large land areas, and represent business opportunities for companies such as Weyerhaeuser, that owns lands as part of their business activities.
Suncor Energy Inc. is Canada’s largest integrated energy company, with its head office in Calgary, Alberta. Suncor combines a leading position in oil sands with complementary operations in refining and marketing, natural gas production and conventional oil production internationally and off shore East Coast Canada. The company’s oil sands business, located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, produces bitumen recovered from oil sands through mining and in-situ technology and upgrades it into refinery feedstock, diesel fuel and by-products. Suncor operates four refineries with a capacity of approximately 433,000 barrels-per-day and one specialty lubricants plant producing more than 350 automotive, industrial and food grade lubricants and greases. Its retail and wholesale network includes more than 1,500 Petro-Canada outlets in Canada, and 165 Phillips 66 outlets in Colorado, United States. In addition to its petroleum business, Suncor has invested in four wind power projects and operates Canada’s largest ethanol production facility. The company has a market capitalization of $58 billion Canadian (as of October 30, 2009).
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is an Ontario-based electricity generation company whose principal business is the generation and sale of electricity in Ontario. OPG’s focus is on the efficient production and sale of electricity from its generating assets, while operating in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner. OPG was established under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario. At December 31, 2009, OPG’s electricity generating portfolio had an in-service capacity of 21,729 megawatts. OPG’s electricity generating portfolio consists of 3 nuclear generating stations, 5 thermal generating stations, 65 hydroelectric generating stations, of which 4 are being redeveloped, and 2 wind power turbines.
As part of its reputational risk management, SITA France is developing different programs aiming to conserve biodiversity on its landfill sites. These initiatives include field programs, such as the Red Kite conservation project, and development of new methodologies designed to better assess impacts on biodiversity and consequently better monitor conservation and rehabilitation actions.
In the Philippines, Pioneer Hi-Bred is carrying out a reforestation program that aims to positively impact its environment so that the company can benefit from improved water and soil conditions. It demonstrates that corporation involvement in biodiversity conservation projects can positively impact business prospects.
The Dean Foods WhiteWaves division buy more that 1.5 million bushels of organic soybeans farmed on more than 40,000 organic acres, for Dean Food’s Silk (Soya-Milk) products. Dean Foods have partnered with Conservation International to develop soy-sourcing guidelines, which incorporate environmental and social best practices from farmers and vendors.
Veolia Water, whose mandate is to deliver high quality water to its clients, is actively working with local authorities to protect the site that it depends upon to provide water to the Greater Lyon Urban Community in France. These actions to preserve biodiversity have proved to bring financial benefits to the company, whilst enhancing local biodiversity in the region.
It is of critical importance for the agriculture sector to protect and enhance the ecosystems it relies on for its yields. Acknowledging this fact, BASF has developed different programs throughout the world that aim first to show that modern agriculture can be compatible with nature whilst also supporting its clients, the farmers.
This feature enables you to find case studies and best practices from companies that have taken an active approach to biodiversity and ecosystem management. By sharing their experiences, companies can communicate their initiatives to customers, suppliers, investors and other relevant stakeholders. The content can be browsed (below) or directly searched by keyword, country and sector.