BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified resources company beat-off strong competition to follow in the footsteps of Marks and Spencer (2004) and Carillion (2003) to be honoured with the award at the Gala event at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Business in the Community, Chief Executive Julia Cleverdon said BHP Billiton provided an inspiring example of building business success on values of sustainable development and responsible business practice and was a company which was leading their industry towards sustainable solutions.
“Tackling head-on its most challenging sector issues, BHP Billiton is committed to building long term relationships with key NGO partners, such as Oxfam and WWF as well as governments and peoples on whose land they operate,” Ms Cleverdon said.
“These partnerships deliver significant shareholder value as well as life changing economic and social impacts for communities that often struggle with poverty and disease.”
BHP Billiton has a long term commitment to sustainable development and has taken a collaborative approach to tackling issues and helping the disadvantaged across the world including Australia, South Africa, South America, Pakistan and Mozambique. The company has also implemented a range of initiatives to achieve the Millennium Development Goals including a ten year HIV / AIDS programme in Africa; a cross border collaboration with Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa to eradicate Malaria and a programme with government and community groups in Chile to support the construction of a large modern school.
A number of programmes are also underway in Pakistan including an initiative to provide education for children in the vicinity of the company’s operations has enabled the establishment of five primary schools in the Sindh Province. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Company has been involved with a project to train and support 37 farmers from La Brea Village, Mayaro in the cultivation of Cassava (root crop), helping to generate wealth and self esteem among the villagers who have had significant success with the new project.
Formally committed to the United Nations Global Compact, BHP Billiton is an active member of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and a founding member of the International Council on Mining and Metals’, which focuses on the industry’s role and responsibilities in sustainable development.
They are also one of the first companies in the world to report in accordance with the 2002 Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and have been recognised by the Global Coalition on HIV/AIDS with its Innovation Award.
BHP Billiton supports a variety of community initiatives in the locations where it operates, including South America and Africa with voluntary contributions to community programs totalling US$46.5 million last year.
In association with The Financial Times and the Department of Trade and Industry, the Awards for Excellence are the culmination of a 12 month rigorous process involving 200 independent assessors from business, not-for-profit sector and government.
