Climate Change and Carbon Strategy: Corporate

The topics of carbon emissions, global warming, climate change and greenhouse gases (GHG) have evoked much debate. With public, media and government attention focused on climate change, governments will continue to develop policy and legislation to constrain carbon and regulate emissions. The competitive landscape will change as a result of legislation, and Teck is committed to understanding its own drivers, risks, challenges and opportunities, as we work with governments on policy development and implementation.

Although carbon management and reporting is a long-standing practice at Teck, 2007 saw an increased focus on strategic management and standard-setting. We conducted internal scenario planning sessions and assembled special research teams to produce industry-wide surveys and reports aimed at enriching the corporate understanding of climate change, energy and emissions. Recommendations emerging in April 2007 highlighted key issues, including: accountability lines and implementation of company standards; internal and external communication plans; refining our understanding of our operating footprint; and incorporating carbon issues into decision-making models.

Broad concerns were refined, grouped and assigned to members of the company’s Energy & Carbon Task Force, established in March 2008, and comprising a cross-functional team of representatives from corporate departments. The first order of business was to lead a two-day Carbon Workshop on April 3-4 2008, attended by almost 50 participants from all areas of the company. The workshop detailed the evolution of Teck’s Energy & Carbon Program to date, provided historical and regulatory backgrounders to ensure that participants had a similar knowledge pool, and featured a guest lecture on climate policy by Dr. Mark Jaccard of Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource & Environmental Management.

“Sharing Best Practices” was the theme of day two, with speakers from each Operation presenting recent energy efficiency projects, future opportunities and key constraints. Dialogue flowed around solutions and parallel applications, as well as establishing communities of practice. Breakout groups formed to discuss key aspects of energy and carbon program elements including Monitoring & Metrics, Energy Efficiency Projects, Internal Engagement Initiatives, Communication & External Commitments, Financial Markets, Regulatory Issues, Technology and Research & Development, and Adapting to Climate/Weather Change.

Workshop information, presentations, outcomes and employee input are now being shared across the company, and will serve to refine Teck’s energy and carbon strategy.