Earthwatch Institute

Numerous field research partners

The partnership and its programme of activities were designed against a background of international conventions relating to the environment, with particular reference to Articles 35, 36 & 37 of Agenda 21 and Chapters 12 and 13 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Accordingly, specific objectives of the partnership include:

Increase scientific data and improve conservation outcomes on a range of issues relevant to both Earthwatch and Rio Tinto;

Enhance scientific capacity in developing countries;

Increase awareness among Rio Tinto employees and other stakholders of the role played by Earthwatch and Rio Tinto in promoting environmental outcomes;

Increase public understanding of biodiversity and the issues surrounding conservation.

10,000 hours of fieldwork have so far been contributed to biodiversity research in 10 countries;

72 employees from 8 operating business units have collected vital data on endangered species and habitats taking part in 10 - 14 day research projects, in often challenging and unfamiliar environments;

45 conservationists from 8 developing countries have joined specialist training teams in Africa and Indonesia;

18 new Earthwatch conservation projects have been set up;

12 free public lecture have been held.

Implentation mechanisms include:

Support for global field research on biodiversity - Rio Tinto employees are placed on field projects to act as the scientists' field assistants, in addition to a financial donation.

Employee development fellowships - recruit and place 24 Rio Tinto employees per year on Earthwatch field projects. Employees from any of the Rio Tinto Group's businesses globally can apply to take part in an Earthwatch project, enabling them to contribute their expertise, energy and knowledge to the project. More importantly, the projects give Rio Tinto employees the opportunity to enhance their skills and understanding of biodiversity, sustainability and corporate social and environmental responsibility.

Capacity building for developing country nationals -the Earthwatch Fellowship Program in Africa and Indonesia provides practical training opportunities for conservationists, scientists and NGO workers in these areas, through involvement in Earthwatch projects. Rio Tinto is a co-funder for the initiative with the European Commission. The programme directly responds to Article 12 of the the Conservation on Biological Diversity, the call for scientific training in the identification of conservation and biodiversity.

Public education and stakeholder communication - the public education program includes lectures, seminars and publications. The partnership also provides the opportunity for Rio Tinto to co-operate on a series of initiatives relating to business responsibility in respect of biodiversity conservation, aimed at promoting the issue among the corporate sector.

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