We applaud the growing number of countries that have already set ambitious targets for climate action. In this context, we support the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.

We recognise that delaying action on climate change will have significant economic and human costs. Accelerating the transition to a lower-carbon economy can contribute multiple benefits including sustainable economic growth, improved public health, reduced physical impacts of climate change and less damage to the environment. We put forth our pledges as follows:

• Require our Businesses to identify, evaluate and implement suitable GHG reduction opportunities, including during project design and equipment selection.
• In FY2015, our Businesses implemented projects that delivered almost 680,000 tonnes of annualized GHG emission reductions.
• Build on our continuing commitment to limit or reduce GHG emissions, such as our current target of limiting our FY2017 emissions below our FY2006 emissions baseline. This target encourages us to look for ways to improve energy efficiency, increase productivity and implement additional emission reduction projects across the Company as we grow.
• Transparent reporting of performance.
• Build resilience to the physical impacts of climate change, which is vital for the long-term sustainable growth of the Company. We take a multifaceted approach to climate change adaptation, building the climate resilience of BHP Billiton’s operations, investments, communities and ecosystems.
• Contribute to community and ecosystem resilience.
• In May 2015, BHP Billiton and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation announced a new $7 million partnership to support critical marine research and rehabilitation works at remote Raine Island, located off the Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Raine Island is the world’s largest green turtle rookery and home to a major Coral Sea seabird nesting population.
• Invest in alternative energy and emission reduction technology development and deployment.
• We have invested over US$400 million in research, development and deployment of low-emissions technologies (LET) since 2007. We now focus on technologies that have the potential to lead to material emissions reductions but are currently not available at commercial scale or acceptable cost, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), technologies to reduce fugitive emissions from coal and petroleum operations, battery storage, high-efficiency/low-emissions (HELE) power generation and transportation.
• Invest in critical technology and data information sharing to accelerate the development and deployment of CCS.
• BHP Billiton and SaskPower recently announced a partnership to accelerate the development of CCS by enhancing global access to the data, information and lessons learned from the Boundary Dam project and associated test facilities.
• Work with governments, industry bodies, peer companies and other stakeholders to inform the development of long-term policy frameworks that deliver a measured transition to a lower-emissions economy. BHP Billiton will advocate for an effective policy framework that includes a price on carbon, support for low-emissions technologies and energy efficiency, and measures to build resilience.Share our experience and expertise with stakeholders to identify solutions that can drive emissions reductions at the lowest cost.