A step-by-step guide to collecting biodiversity data.
Nature
Nature has come to the forefront of global attention as both the significant risks of widespread ecosystem collapse and the opportunities nature holds for addressing urgent social and environmental challenges have become better understood.
Our work focuses on delivering current commitments and developing the metrics, standards and practices needed to maximise the mining sector’s contribution to the Global Goal for Nature. We are working closely with a wide range of organisations and stakeholders, including the IUCN and the Task Force on Nature Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), to help shape a nature positive future for our planet.
Issue at a Glance
- Nature has come to the forefront of global attention as both the significant risks of widespread ecosystem collapse and the opportunities nature holds for addressing urgent social and environmental challenges have become better understood. The mining industry is wholly dependent on healthy functioning ecosystems, and as significant land and water stewards it has a particular responsibility to understand its footprint, mitigate its impact and maximise opportunities for the conservation and restoration of nature.
- Mining is as an important driver of development in host countries. It also produces the metals and minerals essential for the transition to a low carbon economy. Though mining disturbs less than 0.1% of the world’s land, it is often in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas where the building of infrastructure can have a detrimental impact on nature. This needs careful management with communities, government and civil society to halt and reverse the loss of nature and support for conservation.
- Through the ICMM Mining Principles, company members are required to pursue continual improvements in their environmental performance and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, which includes committing to neither explore nor mine in World Heritage Sites, and to assess and address risks and impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services by implementing the mitigation hierarchy, with the ambition of achieving no-net-loss of biodiversity. But we know we need to go further in contributing to halting and reversing nature’s decline globally and that collaboration across stakeholder groups and landscapes is going to be key to making this happen.
- ICMM is working with experts within our member companies and from organisations across the globe to develop a nature positive roadmap for the mining sector and to accelerate action on the ground. This includes sharing and building on learnings to date, as well as finding new opportunities and innovations for a nature positive future. By taking a holistic view of our industry’s influence and impact, from the mine site into adjacent landscapes, value chains and systemic perspectives, we can better ensure that nature positive practices are embedded into business decision making and action on the ground.
- Check out our factsheet for case studies on how ICMM members are contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Our Priorities
Nature Positive for Mining
We believe that nature positive approaches must be embedded as a way of doing business, as well as an objective to be achieved. We are working with experts within our member companies and from organisations across the globe to develop a roadmap to nature positive for the mining sector and to accelerate action on the ground. This includes sharing and building on learnings to date, as well as identifying new opportunities and innovations for a nature positive future. Our approach takes a holistic view from the mine site into adjacent landscapes, value chains and systemic perspectives in order to truly embed nature positive into business decision making and action on the ground.
Nature Metrics
ICMM is proactively engaging in the development of the TNFD framework, the update of the GRI biodiversity standard, and other multi-stakeholder initiatives to support the development of robust, consistent, pragmatic and credible metrics. We will also be working to identify and address any sector-specific gaps in metrics to support both effective decision-making and transparency.
Building Capability
ICMM members contribute to biodiversity conservation by developing guidance and partnerships to enhance biodiversity management practice for members and the wider industry. Our building capability workstream focuses specifically on supporting the implementation of current commitments and the nature positive and nature metrics workstreams for both our members and others.
World Heritage Sites and Legally Designated Protected Areas
World Heritage Sites are often areas of biodiversity so unique or valuable that no activity should be allowed to compromise them. This is why ICMM believes that mining in World Heritage Sites is not compatible with biodiversity conservation and why our members have made a landmark commitment to neither explore nor develop new mines in World Heritage sites.
In addition, members commit to respecting legally designated protected areas, and ensuring that the design and operation of any new mines or changes to existing operations are compatible with the value for which the areas were protected.
Latest Updates on Nature
Related Resources
A Cross-sector Guide for Implementing the Mitigation Hierarchy
Provides practical advice on the core principles of the mitigation hierarchy: avoid, minimise, restore and offset.
Timeline Tool: Coordinating Project Schedules for Biodiversity Management
Roadmap for identifying milestones and key interdependencies between project development schedules, financing timelines and the application of the mitigation hierarchy.
Independent Report on Biodiversity Offsets
Provides an overview of the business case, principles, methods and challenges relating to biodiversity offsets.
Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity
Provides practical tools for managing biodiversity at all stages, from initial exploration to mine closure planning and implementation.