Advocacy Group Cuts Ties with Rio Tinto Over Climate Change Stance

An Australian shareholder advocacy group has severed ties with Rio Tinto due to the miner's lobbying efforts to exclude climate change impacts from impending environmental legislation. The group accused Rio Tinto of breaching trust and greenwashing, demanding a clear stance on environmental reforms before re-engagement.

An Australian shareholder advocacy group announced it will no longer engage with Rio Tinto after the mining giant lobbied the government to omit climate change references from upcoming environmental legislation. The letter sent to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted concerns about the 'nature positive' reforms.

The letter, publicly disclosed through a Freedom of Information request by Greenpeace, urged the removal of climate change requirements such as carbon emissions as assessment triggers. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR), a minor stakeholder in Rio, criticized the appeal as contradictory to Rio's public climate commitments.

ACCR stated it would not participate in engagements that could be perceived as greenwashing and would only reconsider its stance once Rio Tinto formally updated its advocacy position. Rio Tinto responded, affirming its support for environmental protection and expressing a willingness to work with the government for practical reforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)