On 18 September 2024, the Accountable Mining Programme held an event centred on business integrity and governance in the energy transition in Perth, Western Australia, at Corrs Chambers. Hosted by Corrs Chambers and Transparency International Australia, the gathering brought together senior representatives from government, industry, academia and civil society to provide input on key governance issues Australia faces on its path to a net zero future. Throughout the day, sessions included an opportunity for feedback on the Draft Design Principles for a Whistleblower Protection Authority, a roundtable discussing governance issues on the energy transition, and the unveiling of the Adequate Procedures Guide, including advice in line with the new Combatting Foreign Bribery Bill.
A standout event was the roundtable session, Governance and the Energy Transition: Australia’s Path to ESG Leadership in the Mining Sector. This discussion put a spotlight on Australia’s global leadership potential for sustainable mining practices and highlighted the growing governance challenges facing Australia’s mining sector, as demand for critical minerals rises.
Dr. Ana Estefania Carballo, Research and Programme Manager for the Accountable Mining Programme, moderated the roundtable, which emphasised the challenges for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leadership within the critical mining sector. The panel of experts included:
- Nicole Roocke, CEO, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA)
- Mia Pepper, Campaigns Director, Conservation Council of WA
- Florence Drummond, Executive Director, Development Partner Institute
- Tammy Goddard, Manager, Advisory Sustainability, BDO
This diverse line-up delved into the pressures on mining companies to boost transparency, improve ESG compliance, and meet disclosure expectations while navigating new anti-bribery regulations. With a growing emphasis on ESG metrics from investors, the roundtable offered a collaborative platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening Australia’s ESG practices and address shortcomings, to become a global leader in sustainable mining governance.
Held under Chatham House Rules, the session allowed for open, candid discussions on transparency, accountability, and the mining sector’s future, considering state and federal policy developments.
After the speakers’ interventions, an interactive open forum facilitated active participation from all attendees. Two rounds of questions sparked lively dialogue, the first centring on ESG Governance in the Energy Transition and the second on Meaningful Community Participation. These discussions promoted an exchange of insights and diverse perspectives on how businesses and governments can collaborate to ensure the energy transition’s benefits are shared across communities and industry and do not come at the cost of the earth or local livelihoods.
Participants were encouraged to maintain collaboration in tackling these challenges, driving continuous improvement and leadership within the mining sector. These events are crucial to ensure dialogue across multi-stakeholders is maintained and can influence policy processes related to ESG initiatives, reinforcing business integrity standards across Australia. The event concluded with the official launch of the Adequate Procedures Guide on the new Combatting Foreign Bribery Bill, offering companies practical tools for implementing robust anti-bribery frameworks.