The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has launched a report ‘Adapting to a Changing Climate: Building resilience in the mining and metals industry’ at WWF’s Water Summit 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany, today.

The report shares learnings from ICMM’s company members on how to build operational resilience and how to assess and manage the physical impacts of climate change at mine sites, it said. “It provides practical guidance that aims to help the mining and metals industry build climate resilience by enhancing the sustainability of communities and ecosystems, limiting future liabilities, safeguarding business continuity and making prudent investments,” the ICMM said.

ICMM company members recognise the need for an urgent global response to the threat of climate change across all areas of society and the economy, according to the ICMM. “They are committed to being part of the solution by mitigating CO2 emissions at site level and across the supply chain, building resilience to adequately respond to climate related risks and continuing to contribute to the sustainable production of commodities essential to the energy and mobility transitions.”

Earlier today, during a panel discussion at the Summit, Tom Butler, CEO of ICMM, said: “Our climate is changing, and this presents challenges for the mining and metals sector. Understanding this challenge, ICMM has collated insights and developed tools that can support our members and any responsible mining company to build resilience by identifying and properly managing these risks.

“Fundamental to the way ICMM operates is sharing knowledge and experience with each other and I am pleased today to share what we have learned so far with the publication of this report.”