Awareness raising
While 'climate change' is an often-heard term both inside and outside our business, there is considerable variance in understanding of the term and its criticality for Rio Tinto Coal Australia.
Current research by CSIRO* within the broad community concludes Australian society is at the tipping point with a major shift in national values and beliefs which may influence policy, regulation and the business environment for years to come. It is clear the public expects industry to act. The coal industry is indeed acting and has many good stories to tell. At the same time, communication and awareness raising are required to build support and action for programmes to address climate change.
Rio Tinto Coal Australia has designed a communications programme that provides consistent messages for all our employees, and provides support to our energy use reduction programmes while also providing context to the broader societal issue of climate change.
Demonstrating our commitment and actions to external audiences and seeking opportunities to work with them is also an important part of awareness raising.
Examples of programmes include:
• TogetherTODAY - Coal & Allied is a foundation member of this campaign to position the Hunter as world leaders in energy and water efficient solutions
• An extensive internal communications programme including presentations, communications tools, regular features in the employee newsletter, and information on 'what you can do'.
Read more in our feature story.
Results
In 2007, 74 per cent of our employees attended awareness raising presentations and received communications material regarding Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Climate Change Action Plan.
In 2007 and again in early 2008, we surveyed employees to gain an understanding of their awareness of climate change. In 2007, prior to the roll-out of the Action Plan, 60 per cent of employees knew what Rio Tinto Coal Australia was doing to address climate change. In 2008, this had grown to 80 per cent.
* "Leading the Great Energy Debate: communication analysis of key findings of community surveys on coal and energy issues, 2006." Julian Cribb and Associates.