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FeaturesHomeOur approachEnvironmental stewardshipClimate change

Climate change

We accept the urgent need for climate change action and recognise the issue as
being one of our greatest challenges and opportunities.

We believe that emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) resulting from human

activities are contributing to climate change. Avoiding human-caused changes to
the climate is an important international goal. In order to achieve this goal the world
needs reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

We recognise that addressing the challenge of climate change will impose costs for
GHG abatement and necessitate a change in the way the world uses energy. A
comprehensive portfolio of policy and technology options will be required to achieve
the highest benefit and lowest overall cost for society. See our position on climate
change here.

Our climate change programme will undertake initiatives in three key areas:

1.Reducing emissions from our operations.

2.Understanding and developing low emission product pathways by working with

others on supply chain emissions and on breakthrough technologies.
3.Engaging with governments and stakeholders to advocate sound and efficient
domestic and international policies.

ApproachProduct lifecycleEngagementResultsWe aim to progressively reduce the

GHG emissions and energy footprint of our operations. As a capital intensive
business, changing our emissions profile is a long term challenge for us. We are also
working to identify step change opportunities to improve our performance over the
long term.

Climate change will affect our operations, particularly through the availability of
water and extreme weather events. We use a model at the University of Oklahoma
to provide regional climate predictions for our sites. This improves our
understanding of physical climate change risks and helps us to determine what
adaptation measures may be needed in the future. We have started a review of our
progress in identifying, managing and communicating these risks to better
coordinate and support their integration in project planning and operations.

We differentiate our approach to climate change between our existing operations

and new projects. We have targets to improve the energy and GHG intensities of all
our operations. However, new technologies offer step change improvements when
developing large projects.

Our Executive committee sponsors energy efficiency projects. During 2008, we

formed a new Energy & Climate Strategy team to provide strategic direction and
support to the businesses.

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See our policies, standards and guidance

The way we work

"The way we work", Rio Tinto's global code of conduct, was relaunched on 9
December 2009. The new edition supersedes business unit codes of conduct and
establishes a common Group wide code.

See all "Our approach" features

View the online annual report

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