Anglo American has been ranked in the top 10 of SDG Benchmarks' 2023 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark, which assesses how the world's most influential companies are making progress on their human rights performance.
The Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) developed by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) provides a comparative snapshot of the largest companies on the planet, looking at the policies, processes, and practices they have in place to systematise their human rights approach.
Reflecting on the benchmark, Katie Fergusson, Group Head of Sustainability, says: “Human rights continue to be a critical aspect in every area of Anglo American’s business and forms a foundational part our Sustainable Mining Plan.
“As a company whose decisions and actions impact a wide group of stakeholders which includes our employees and their families, our host communities, workers in our value chains and our customers - we have an important responsibility in working towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Human rights are inextricably linked to these goals – over 90% of the SDG targets are directly connected to international and regional human rights instruments and labour standards. We also remain committed to the principles of the UN Global Compact and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”
About the benchmark
The benchmark's aim is to incentivise action by identifying the areas where progress and leadership is possible to deliver on the SDGs. A detailed overview can be found here https://bit.ly/CHRB2023
Anglo American’s approach to Human Rights
There are many ways in which we can affect the rights of people in a positive way. We are proud of the role we play in supporting human rights – whether it is through employment, taxes and providing many of the raw materials the world needs to thrive and decarbonise – or through improving health, livelihoods and education in host communities under programmes supporting our Sustainable Mining Plan.
Unfortunately, it is also true that some of our activities have the potential to adversely affect human rights. That is why respect for human rights is a central part of our Code of Conduct and a critical foundation of the Sustainable Mining Plan. Respect for human rights is integrated into various Anglo American policies and standards that guide our approach to employees, contractors, communities, suppliers and other business partners.
Our human rights policy
The expectations we have set for ourselves and our business partners are expressed in our Group Human Rights Policy, which is aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Our commitment to human rights is further expressed through our being a signatory to the UN Global Compact, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the Business Network Commitment on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders.
Human rights due diligence
Due diligence is central to Anglo American’s approach to human rights. As part of the ongoing process to identify and manage salient human rights issues, we have integrated due diligence into existing standards that apply to salient issues and, increasingly, business activities that cut across several areas.
To read about our approach to Human Right check out our Sustainability Report, pages 45-48