Bettercoal Standard: the Code 2.0

Since the Bettercoal Code was launched in 2013, it has become the internationally recognised standard for assessing, assuring and sustaining stringent ethical, environmental and social performance across the coal mining supply chain.

The Bettercoal Code consists of 144 provisions, under 12 principles, embedded within the framework of ESG: Environment, Social and Governance.

The Bettercoal Code 2.0, launched in 2021, is the third iteration of the standard - it is now more comprehensive, more rigorous and has even greater alignment with international best practices in mining.

 

Use the links below to download the Bettercoal Code 2.0 in the language of your choice:

 
 
 

Guidance manual

This guidance manual has been created to help coal producers to better understand how to meet the expectations of the Bettercoal Code 2.0.

It has been developed to ensure that all provisions are clearly explained and clarified. It also contains many links and references to additional sources of information and, where relevant, further guidance material.

 

Use the links below to download the Code 2.0 Guidance in the language of your choice:

 
 

BETTERCOAL PRINCIPLES

01

02

03

04

Policy and
Management

BUSINESS
INTEGRITY

TRANSPARENCY

MINE REHABILITATION
AND CLOSURE

GOVERNANCE

Companies will conduct their business to a high level of integrity and compliance.

Companies will develop, document and implement management systems that cover the Principles of the Bettercoal Code, and will support continuous improvement throughout their operations and with business partners.

Companies will commit to being transparent in alignment with internationally recognised reporting and disclosure standards.

Companies will implement a process of integrated mine closure and rehabilitation incorporating environmental, social, economic and governance aspects into operations from the earliest stage of mine development.

05

06

07

08

lABOUR RIGHTS

HUMAN RIGHTS

Occupational Health
and Safety (OHS)

COMMUNITIES
AND STAKEHOLDERS

SOCIAL

Companies will respect human rights affected by their operations and take appropriate action to assess, prevent and remedy potential adverse impacts on human rights in a manner that is consistent with international instruments on human rights.

Companies will uphold the rights of workers and ensure dignified and respectful working conditions in line with the ILO eight fundamental Conventions and other relevant ILO Conventions.

Companies will provide safe and healthy working conditions for all workers, both employees and contractors.

Companies will identify and engage potentially affected stakeholders and contribute to the long-term social, cultural, environmental, economic and institutional development of the communities in which they operate.

09

10

11

12

Management of
Emissions and Waste

WATER
STEWARDSHIP

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Biodiversity and
Land Use

ENVIRONMENTAL

Companies will have systems in place that enable the efficient and responsible withdrawal, use and management of water in their operations to contribute to good water stewardship in the area of operation.

Companies will have systems in place to avoid and minimise potentially harmful emissions and to manage waste in line with the mitigation hierarchy.

Companies will have systems in place to measure, avoid and minimise greenhouse gas emissions at all stages of the mine lifecycle.

Companies will identify their impacts on biodiversity, protected areas and land use and apply the mitigation hierarchy to the management of their impacts throughout the lifecycle of the mine.

 

A GUIDE TO THE NEW STANDARD

We have produced this helpful short guide that outlines the key changes and updates between the Bettercoal Code 1.1 and Code 2.0 in regard to new provisions and new public disclosure.

 

Use the links below to download the Guide to the New Standard in the language of your choice:

 
 
 
 

BETTERCOAL CODE REVIEW PROCESS

    • Internal Bettercoal Programme review of Code 1.1 and Board decision on undertaking Code Review

    • Develop Code Review scope and plan, and identify stakeholders to engage

    • Start Code Review process with disclosure of Public Summary on Bettercoal Programme website

    • Undertake interviews with key internal stakeholders using the Bettercoal Code 1.1 (Bettercoal Programme Members and Producers, Secretariat and Lead Assessors)

    • Undertake benchmark of Code 1.1 to six relevant mining standards/initiatives and the OECD

    • Present recommendations for Code 2.0 changes to the TAC and finalise draft Code 2.0 updates

    • Disclose draft Code 2.0 and summary of changes to the public for 60-day Public Consultation period

    • Carry out benchmark of draft Bettercoal Code 2.0 to the SDGs to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement

    • Review Public Consultation comments (349) and SDG recommendations (70) with TAC and update Code with changes

    • Present Draft 2 of Bettercoal Code 2.0 to the TAC and Board for final comments and approval

    • Translation of Bettercoal Code into Spanish, Russian and Indonesian

    • Finalisation and launch of Bettercoal Code 2.0 and Guidance