Rio Tinto Group
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
- Details of Organization Score
-
What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
-
What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
|
QUERIES
|
DATA SOURCES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
|
|
Climate Science Transparency
Is the organisation being transparent about climate change science? |
1
|
2
|
NS |
2
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Climate Science Stance
Is the organization supporting the science of climate change and the response demanded (as per the IPCC) |
1
|
0
|
NA |
0
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
Need for Climate Regulation
To what extent does the organization express the need for climate policy and regulations in general. |
0
|
2
|
NS |
-1
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
UN Treaty Support
Is the organization supporting a global treaty on climate change and the UN FCCC process? |
1
|
1
|
NA |
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation being transparent about their positions on climate change legislation and policy, including CEO statements. |
0
|
NA |
1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
|
Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
0
|
-2
|
-1
|
-1
|
-2
|
-2
|
NS | NA |
|
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
0
|
0
|
0
|
-1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Energy Efficiency Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Energy efficiency standards and targets |
NS |
0
|
-1
|
-2
|
-2
|
NS | NS | NA |
|
Renewable Energy Legislation
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy targets, subsidies and legislation. |
-1
|
-1
|
NS |
-2
|
-1
|
-1
|
NS | NA |
|
Energy Policy and Mix
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy policy and the energy mix. We refer to IPCC thinking on renewables, coal, oil and gas. |
0
|
0
|
NS |
0
|
-1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
GHG Emission Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. |
0
|
NS |
0
|
-1
|
NS | NS | NS | NA |
|
Disclosure on Relationships
The Caring for Climate “inventory” of climate change policy influences: Are companies being transparent about their business associations which may impact climate debate and policy |
0
|
NS |
0
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of Brazil-US Business Council
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the Chamber’s Energy and Climate Change committee. We continue to engage with the Chamber’s Energy committee and senior leadership and other member companies, where appropriate, to inform the organisation’s policies on climate change and energy related issues, consistent with our climate change position.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the Chamber’s Energy and Climate Change committee but has described policy position differences on the Pais Agreement and 'Market Mechanisms' to the NMA in its 'Rio Tinto’s view on the role of industry associations' in 2018.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of Brazil-US Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the Chamber’s Energy and Climate Change committee. We continue to engage with the Chamber’s Energy committee and senior leadership and other member companies, where appropriate, to inform the organisation’s policies on climate change and energy related issues, consistent with our climate change position.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the Chamber’s Energy and Climate Change committee but has described policy position differences on the Pais Agreement and 'Market Mechanisms' to the NMA in its 'Rio Tinto’s view on the role of industry associations' in 2018.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto’s Chief executive is an active member of the ERT. Rio Tinto is a member of the ERT energy and climate working group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the ERT energy and climate working group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Chairman is a Member of ERT
Jan du Plessis
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto’s Chief executive is an active member of the ERT. Rio Tinto is a member of the ERT energy and climate working group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the ERT energy and climate working group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Chairman is a Member of ERT
Jan du Plessis
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is an executive committee member, as well as a member of the Eurometaux Champion Energy and Climate Change Working Group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Aluminium is a member of the Champion Energy and Climate Change committee of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan is a company member of Eurometaux
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is an executive committee member, as well as a member of the Eurometaux Champion Energy and Climate Change Working Group.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Aluminium is a member of the Champion Energy and Climate Change committee of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan is a company member of Eurometaux
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is one of over 100 direct members of BCA. Jean-Sebastien Jacques - Managing Director Australia for the Rio Tinto Group - is a board member of BCA.
Jean-Sebastien Jacques
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto has a position on the BCA Board. We actively participate in the Energy and Climate Change Working Party.
Joanne Farrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Group is a board member of BCA.
Joanne Farrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is one of over 100 direct members of BCA. Jean-Sebastien Jacques - Managing Director Australia for the Rio Tinto Group - is a board member of BCA.
Jean-Sebastien Jacques
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto has a position on the BCA Board. We actively participate in the Energy and Climate Change Working Party.
Joanne Farrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto Group is a board member of BCA.
Joanne Farrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the IETA Board
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Rio Tinto is a Vice-President of IETA
Matthew Bateson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the IETA Board
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Rio Tinto is a Vice-President of IETA
Matthew Bateson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Simon Thompson, Chairman of Rio Tinto, is a commissioner for the Energy Transition Commission.
Simon Thompson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Simon Thompson, Chairman of Rio Tinto, is a commissioner for the Energy Transition Commission.
Simon Thompson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the executive committee, as well as member of the MAC board. Rio Tinto actively engages on the Climate Change Task Force and Environment Committees(Up to date 13/05/2020)
Carolyn Chisholm
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of a subsidiary of Rio Tinto is on the board of MAC
Blair Dickerson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is a member of the executive committee, as well as member of the MAC board. Rio Tinto actively engages on the Climate Change Task Force and Environment Committees(Up to date 13/05/2020)
Carolyn Chisholm
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of a subsidiary of Rio Tinto is on the board of MAC
Blair Dickerson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is on the board of the MCA and actively participates in the MCA’s energy and climate change standing committee and were actively involved in the development of the MCA's new energy and climate position.
Chris Salisbury, Chair of MCA's workforce and Innovation Committee
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Has disclosed that they actively participate in MCA's Energy and Climate Change Standing Committee and were actively involved in the development of MCA’s new energy and climate position
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Chris Salisbury, Rio Tinto Chief Executive - Iron Ore, sits on the MCA board of directors
Chris Salisbury
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Rio Tinto is on the board of the MCA and actively participates in the MCA’s energy and climate change standing committee and were actively involved in the development of the MCA's new energy and climate position.
Chris Salisbury, Chair of MCA's workforce and Innovation Committee
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Has disclosed that they actively participate in MCA's Energy and Climate Change Standing Committee and were actively involved in the development of MCA’s new energy and climate position
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Chris Salisbury, Rio Tinto Chief Executive - Iron Ore, sits on the MCA board of directors
Chris Salisbury
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Rio Tinto is actively engaged on climate and energy policy. Rio Tinto communicates positive top line positions on climate change, however, at a more detailed level, appears to have negatively lobbied against a range of policies, including GHG emissions regulation and carbon pricing. In addition, Rio Tinto retains membership to numerous highly oppositional trade groups despite repeatedly finding misalignments regarding climate policy positions in the company’s industry association review.
Top-Line Messaging on Climate Policy: Through its corporate disclosures in 2018-2020, Rio Tinto has communicated positive, top-line positions on the Paris Agreement and the goals of limiting climate change to below 2°C. Notably in its 2020 disclosures, the company further specified that the company supported the need to “pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5” and that it does “not support advocacy for policies that undermine the Paris Agreement or discount Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs)”. Following the Australian bushfires in 2020, Rio Tinto announced support for a national net zero target for 2050. Between 2018-2020 the company has regularly disclosed its support for a market-based price on carbon. In 2020, Rio Tinto reportedly called for an Australian price on carbon, although its engagement on the issue appears to focus on measures to protect the competitiveness of carbon-intensive firms.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Rio Tinto’s more detailed engagement on GHG emissions legislation and regulation, however, has appeared less positive. For example, in 2018, Rio Tinto suggested that the New Zealand Government remove GHG emission targets from the Zero Carbon Bill on the grounds that it was potentially politically divisive. Additionally, in 2018, Rio Tinto supported weakening the stringency of the Australian federal Safeguard Mechanism, a policy that sets emissions benchmarks for heavy emitting companies’ facilities. In 2019, the company also advocated against additional mandatory measures on GHG emissions at the state-level in Australia. In 2020, Rio Tinto directly advocated policy makers to oppose the addition of a greenhouse gas emissions requirements in the Australian Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Regarding carbon pricing, the company appears not to have supported stronger carbon pricing regulation both in British Columbia (Canada) and New Zealand in 2018.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Since 2018, Rio Tinto’s sustainability disclosures have stated support for increased electrification of transport and a shift away from fossil fuels. However, Rio Tinto’s 2019 Industry Association review appears to support a long term role for coal, although in conjunction with the use of ‘advanced technology’, and that in the medium to long term its use must be consistent with Paris targets. However, in August 2019, in feedback to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Assessment Guidance, Rio Tinto appeared to caution against the early retirement of assets based on their emissions profile. Additionally, in 2019, Rio Tinto emphasized the cost of the energy transition to New Zealand’s economy in consultation with policymakers and argued that more stringent measures to pursue this in NZ “would not benefit the world or reduce global emissions”.
Industry Association Governance: Rio Tinto has published regular industry association reviews since 2018. In its 2020 review, Rio Tinto does not appear to identify any cases of material misalignment, although it does appear to highlight areas of potential misalignment with the Minerals Council of Australia, National Mining Association and US Chamber of Commerce. However, Rio Tinto retains memberships to these organizations as well as other industry associations that continue to oppose ambitious policy action on climate change including Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, Minerals Council South Africa, Queensland Resources Council, and Business Council of Australia).