Absolute results are low overall and Fortescue’s results are largely dependent on the formal commitments it has made, including on preventing bribery and corruption, respecting human rights, and ensuring safe and healthy working conditions. The company’s results also rely in part on its systematic approach to supporting the development of technical and vocational skills among the local population around its operations, and its public disclosure of information on the location and safety of its tailings storage facilities along with other companies.

Fortescue shows evidence of improvement since the RMI Report 2020, including on measures to hold board directors and senior managers accountable for responsible business conduct on ESG issues.

In the company-wide assessment, Fortescue’s results are below the average in all thematic areas except Environmental Responsibility. The company’s results are limited by a lack of evidence of action on a number of key issues. For example, the company shows no evidence of having systems to assess and address the potential impacts of involuntary displacement or planning for the management of post-closure transition for workers. Likewise, the company shows no evidence of systems in place to identify and address how climate change can exacerbate the impacts of its operations on its workforce, affected communities, and the environment.

Fortescue ranks 36th among the 40 companies on its mine-site-level results, with an average score of only 2% in the mine-site assessment. The overall results of the four Fortescue mine sites included in the mine-site assessment are strikingly weak. Other than the issue of tailings, none of these sites show any relevant evidence on the fifteen issues covered in the mine-site assessment.