Sustainable development workshop
ORANGE GROUP
Co-Chair: John Keating and Jonathan Derham Rapporteur: Charles Parker
Introduction
The group comprised 23 representatives from Government and Industry. Initial discussions identified a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits and challenges arising out of the production and use of non-ferrous metals. The group also identified benefits and challenges relating to the properties of non-ferrous metals and explored the principles of good governance.
Based on these discussions the group identified five broad themes arising out of the consideration of benefits and challenges for the production and use of non-ferrous metals:
· Image
· Responsible Management
· Research and Development
· Emissions Management
· Contribution to Governance
Image
The group recognised that industry must take ownership of the image challenges and that image was founded on trust and credibility. The group considered that industry should be more pro-active rather than reactive and as such it needed to organise itself at a sectoral, corporate and product/material level to achieve this objective. Industry recognised the long-term commitment that would be required to address the image challenge.
Recommendation - Develop and implement a long-term strategy to address the image issues.
Action By: Industry
Responsible Management
The group identified a range of social, economic, environmental and ethical challenges that need to be addressed in relation to metals' contribution to sustainable development. It was recognised that these challenges needed to be addressed at all levels of the metals' life cycle.
Recommendation - Industry should promote and demonstrate responsible management of their processes and products throughout their life cycle.
Action By: Industry
Research and Development
The group agreed there was insufficient credible data or research to assist the decision making process in relation to regulation of the sector. Furthermore it was recognised that there was a low level of communication of existing data and research.
Recommendation - Develop and make readily available peer reviewed information relevant to sustainable development decision making, and keep it current.
Action By: Industry
The group recognised that Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity (PBT) criteria developed for screening organic chemicals were not necessarily appropriate for metals and their compounds. The group agreed that there is insufficient data to develop a framework and tools for proper screening of metals and their compounds.
Recommendation - Develop an appropriate decision making framework and the necessary tools for screening and classifying metals and their compounds.
Action By: Industry
Emissions Management
The group identified a range of challenges associated with emissions generated throughout the life cycle of a metal. The group considered that environmental management systems are an effective tool in the identification, prevention, control and reduction of emissions.
Recommendation - Companies should develop and implement environmental management systems and communicate them to the public
Action By: Industry
Contribution to Governance
The group recognised that secondary raw materials should be treated in the same manner as primary raw materials. To enhance the collection, movement and recovery of secondary raw materials the group agreed that existing trade and other constraints should be addressed.
Recommendation - Barriers to collection, movement and recovery/recycling of non-ferrous metals be identified, assessed and addressed.
Action By: Industry and Government
The group acknowledged the need for a range of stakeholders in the decision making process regarding societies use of non-ferrous metals. The group agreed to the need for a Government led multi-stakeholder forum to discuss the role of metals to sustainable development
Recommendation - Develop an inter-governmental forum that allows for the participation of all stake holders to assess and address the contribution of metals to sustainable development.
Action By: Governments
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
ORANGE BREAK OUT GROUP - BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
NON-FERROUS METALS BENEFITS (PROPERTIES)
Corrosion protection
Unique physical characteristics
Heat and electricity resistance and low conductivity
Corrosion protection
Machinability/ductile
Flexibility
Recyclable
Strength
Shielding (radiation, electro mag)
Galvanic
Catalytic
Impermeable
Conductivity
Abrasion Resistance
Alloys Potential
Hygienic / cleanability
Durability
Density
Fission/nuclear/magnetic characteristics
Ductility
Wear resistance
NON-FERROUS METALS CHALLENGES (PROPERTIES)
Availability of information
R&D
Bio-accumulation
Bio-availability
Misconception: science and affects
Radioactivity
Corrosion
Leaching
Toxicity
Cost
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Foreign currency
Environmental industries and services
Development of service industries
Contribution to GDP
Energy saving through recycling for metals
Taxes
Private Investment in developing countries
Underpinning other industries
Wide variety of applications (tools, plant, vehicles)
Innovation
Corporate consolidation
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Transparency/markets
Resource depletion
Speculation
Protectionism
Profitability
Investment: attracting
E-commerce
Access to secondary raw materials (Basel Convention)
Taxes
Competition/substitution
Transport & Storage
Energy and efficiency
Economic instruments
Increasing cost of compliance
Market development
Producer responsibility: extended
Improvement of product: environmental and cost efficiency
Innovation: Patents
Corporate consolidation
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
Liability
Contamination of the food chain/wild life
Metal Emissions from non-metal industry
Orphaned and Abandoned Mines
Appropriate Standards
Appropriate regulation
"Harmonisation"
Water, air emissions
Soil Contamination
Greenhouse gasses
Impact mitigation
Wastes: hazardous and non-hazardous
Recyclable: Design for recycling (composite materials)
Dispersal
Energy: intensive use
Land disturbance: ecological
Contamination in products through recycling
Mine closure
Protected Areas (SSSI etc)
Prevention and rehabilitation
Bad technology
Tailings
Acid Rain
Acid Mine drainage
Ozone depletion
Recycling of composites
Design for recycling
Toxicity (control of)
Frontier loss
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Metals in waste water treatment
Mine "Adoption"
Reduced intensity of use due to extended use
Resource conservation: recycling/re-use
Energy conservation
Catalytic conversion
Life essential
Safety and Environmental health benefits (odourless/inflammable)
Transfer and implementation of knowledge and management systems
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Underwrites civilisation
Communication
Transportation
Housing
Food Production
Energy generation, transmission, storage and transportation
Wealth creation
Capital formation Infrastructure Development Social Advancement (education, sanitation, drinking water, community infrastructure development: social/physical Human capital formation Health: Medical devices Employment: direct/indirect Diversification of economic activity
SOCIAL CHALLENGES
Addressing social needs
Image problem: population, institutions (corporate, sectoral, product)
Cultural impact (indigenous populations)
Engender Trust
Inter-generational responsibility
Safety
Dependent communities
Ethics
Small scale mining
Consumer Awareness and Participation in recycling in the metals life cycle
Public participation: workers, communities
GOVERNANCE -GENERAL "PRINCIPLES" DISCUSSED
Integrity of process Role/use of science Role of stakeholders "Role" of future generations "Fairness" Facilitation of efficiency Environment and Economic Barriers to trade Economic Instruments/taxation.
GOVERNANCE
Free and fair trade Legitimacy Partnerships Effective communication Leadership Integrity Accountability Co-operation Clarity of purpose and objective in decision making Role of future and Present generations Transparent Stakeholder involvement Consistent rules: clarity; accountability, integrity of process Integration of social, environment and economic in decision making Enhancement of decision making through the development of better tools e.g. science (reduce uncertainty with respect to risk. Realistic standards (site specific) Credible actions, which build, trust Consultation Wide range of regulatory and non-regulatory incentives Consideration of social, economic and environmental costs & benefits and their distribution. Appropriate regulation
SUMMARY OF MAIN THEMES
(I) Image: Sectoral
Corporate
Product material
(II) Responsible Management throughout life cycle
Social charter
Ethical charter
Environmental charter
Economic charter
(III) R&D
(IV) Emissions Management (air, effluent, waste)
(V) Contribution to governance