THE Bettercoal PROGRAMME
and the UN Sustainable
Development Goals
The Bettercoal Programme recognises the significant impact the mining sector can have on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Combined with our purpose to promote the continuous improvement of sustainability performance in the coal supply chain, we undertook a full review of the Bettercoal Code and included a thorough and independent analysis benchmarking the newly revised Code against the SDGs.
We partnered with an expert third party, the Sustainable Development Strategies Group (SDSG), who analysed the Bettercoal Code 2.0 provisions to identify areas of alignment and gaps, in relation to the SDGs. The gaps shone light on where the Bettercoal Programme could contribute more positively to the SDGs, with the final benchmark output and final report identifying 70 improvement opportunities where the Bettercoal Programme could do more.
As part of the Bettercoal Code review process, we reviewed these opportunities and integrated changes where relevant, to bring more alignment to the SDGs, both in language and in driving more implementation around responsible practices in the coal mine supply chain.
MAPPING THE BETTERCOAL PRINCIPLES TO THE SDGs
This benchmarking process and final report have reaffirmed that the Bettercoal Code and our Assessment Process is on the right track, taking steps to proactively align ourselves more with the SDGs, and seek out opportunities to contribute more positively to the people and environment affected directly or indirectly by the coal industry. But beyond updates to the Bettercoal Code and Assessment process itself, we also identified opportunities to deepen and extend our work through our Country Working Groups.