The SME Guide to ESG Resources

This review article presents practical artificial intelligence (AI) applications to ESG challenges related to engineering applications that could benefit the mining industry practitioners. Case studies include carbon neutrality, satellite data and machine learning based land management, and ESG scoring. Discussion of challenges related to AI applications are also discussed.

The authors assert that it is critical for companies to address ESG risks in mineral resource and reserve reporting. They discuss challenges, suggest improvements, and emphasize the importance of ESG in "diligent and transparent disclosure."

A discussion of the importance of ESG to engineering and construction companies and the industry. Discusses the key components of an ESG program that investors or potential investors will evaluate. Provides reasons why ESG programming should be viewed as an investment - not a cost center - that can add to corporate value.

The author describes receiving only one response after reaching out to over 100 ASX-listed critical minerals companies with general queries about their ESG programs and progress. He muses that the lack of response may be Aussie "tall poppy syndrome" and advises about the necessity of climate transition plans including that they be time-bound and disclosed.

This article discusses the importance of ESG, ESG Strategy and ESG Criteria to investors, and provides 6 steps for companies to get started.

ISO 37000 gives guidance on the governance of organizations. The linked source contains summmary, scope statement and overview of ISO 37000, including summaries for 11 mission critical topics covered by the guidance. Useful related links are provided, including links to an ISO 37000 Highlights PDF file, and a link to the ISO store where the guidance can be downloaded.

Specifies requirements and provides guidance for use for establishing, developing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining and improving an effective and responsive compliance management system within an organization. The requirements are generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations, regardless of type, size and nature of activity, and whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors. The standard is based on the principles of good governance, proportionality, transparency and sustainability.

ISO 37001 reflects international good practice in anti-bribery, can be used in all jurisdictions and is applicable to small, medium and large organizations in all sectors, including public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

ISO 37002 Whistleblowing is the act of reporting suspected wrongdoing or risk of wrongdoing. Effective whistleblowing programs protect organizations globally from the financial and reputational damage that these risks could cause if gone undetected. Based on the principles of Trust, Impartiality and Protection, this standard will help organizations of any size or type, whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sector:

identify and address wrongdoing at the earliest opportunity; increase return on assets; ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and legal and social obligations; attract and retain personnel committed to the organization's values and culture; demonstrate sound, ethical governance practices to society, markets, regulators, owners and other interested parties.

Identifies gaps in traditional risk management and audit functions with respect to the STEM aspects of mining. Traditional audit and risk management professionals need to work alongside STEM professionals in mining to develop new ways to provide transparency, accountability and assurance to mining company boards. Discusses implications for successful ESG.

Voluntary guidance for corporate boards, C-suite representatives and senior management. Offers practical suggestions and examples for integrating sustainability considerations into the key roles and responsibilities within the IIA's Three Lines Model.

Essay on ESG risk management awarded Honorable Mention for the 2014 Cambridge McKinsey Risk Prize, presented at the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies 5th Risk Summit.

A significant raising of the ESG bar has occurred through the raising of performance standards by the mining industry, and the requirement for independent and transparent validation requirements at mine sites.

In its ESG report card, S&P concluded that: "Environmental risks for metals and mining companies are among the highest across all sectors . . . main social tensions arise from fears of pollution, water usage conflicts, and economic/landscape impacts on nearby communities . . . and governance of high-rated companies tend to be the best, especially for those located in jurisdictions with long histories in mining."

The Board Leadership Center interviewed directors of major corporations. The interviews showed that ESG is important to investors and stakeholders, and a focus on ESG requires significant effort, especially as there is no one model to follow.

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Members (SASB) are reporting that companies are being pushed to report on how they are working to achieve the UN Sustainable Development goals that were established in 2015 to provide a common set of economic, social, and environmental outcomes that member countries can work together to achieve by 2030. Convergence is expected on this over the next 12-24 months according to the SASB Board.

The author provides a summary of traditional sustainability concepts (social sustainability, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility), summarizes the new sustainability concepts promoted by the authors in Mining and Sustainable Development: Current Issues, then suggests that the optimal outcome of sustainability – whether through the application of the traditional sustainability concepts or the new sustainability concepts – is to earn an SLO. In order to maximize the likelihood of obtaining an SLO, mining companies need to hire an independent third party to conduct an effective SLO diagnosis – the particulars of which are summarized in the remainder of the chapter.

With crisis sparking a collective demand for change, it's time for ESG investing to move from a check-the-box component of investment portfolios to a must-have for all portfolios.

"Governance" is the most important component of ESG. If extractive companies do not improve their governance, they may find that their overall ESG performance does not meet investor and society expectations. Three key governance challenges are discussed.