Shareholders in BHP have tried to persuade the company to quit industry associations including the Minerals Council, which is linked to a group which is spending millions on pro-coal advertising. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also been vocal about its opposition to climate change policies that it says are hurting business. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility said the vote showed a transformation was happening. BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie, however, said a move towards renewables made an increase in metals production necessary. BHP left the World Coal Association in 2017.
Shareholders in BHP have tried to persuade the company to quit industry associations including the Minerals Council, which is linked to a group which is spending millions on pro-coal advertising. More than one-fifth of shareholders backed a resolution to leave any industry association which has a strategy not consistent with the Paris climate change agreement. The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility said the vote showed a transformation was happening. BHP CEO Andrew Mackenzie, however, said a move towards renewables made an increase in metals production necessary. BHP left the World Coal Association in 2017.