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Join the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), in association with Steptoe LLP, for Session 3 of our four-part webinar series, Candid Reflections on Resource-Based Development.
Mining has highly localized community and environmental impacts, unfolding in relatively remote geographies and often affecting marginalized communities. Out of necessity and in response to robust public scrutiny, the mining industry has invested resources and developed experience in engaging in a profound and sophisticated way with these issues. Regardless, failure and acrimony remain common. Environmental and social impact assessments—often sponsored by the mining company itself—that under-report social and environmental risks can lead to conclusions that fail to reflect the true impacts of investments. For their part, national environmental agencies have comparatively under-resourced technical teams to review and shape environmental assessments and management plans. Moreover, the interests of local communities may not be represented by national governments. Despite decades of effort to establish best practices in both community rights and environmental protection, the cycle has been difficult to break. This panel will engage with the politics of environmental and social impacts and management plans, and consider whether new ways to approach this central challenge might alleviate persistent tensions.
Speakers:
- Todd Clewett, External Affairs Executive and Political Risk Strategist in the Resources Sector
- Allan Marks, Former Partner, Milbank LLP and Senior Fellow, CCSI
- Githa Roleans, Head of Multinational Enterprises and Responsible Business Conduct Unit, ILO
- Kelly Stark-Anderson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs & General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Dundee Precious Metals, Inc.
Moderators:
- Lisa Sachs, Director, CCSI
- Christophe Bondy, Partner, Steptoe LLP
