While absolute results remain low overall, in terms of Glencore’s relative results compared to the other companies assessed, it is above average for all six thematic areas.

Glencore ranks 4th among the 38 companies on its mine-site-level results, though with an average score of only 20% in the mine-site assessment.

In the company-wide assessment, Glencore’s results stem mostly from the formal commitments it has made: to prevent bribery and corruption, to respect human rights, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions, and to not mine or explore in World Heritage Sites and to respect other protected areas. The company’s results also rely somewhat on its disclosure of the payments it makes to sub-national and national governments based on the Canadian and UK regulations on this issue, and its disclosure of information on the location and safety of its tailings storage facilities, along with other companies, following the recent investor request.

Glencore shows one of the relatively stronger results on the issue of human rights due diligence. In evidence of the company’s continuous improvement efforts since the RMI Report 2018, Glencore now publishes an annual human rights report, detailing its work on assessing and addressing human rights risks. In addition, the company has established a new permanent Board committee on Ethics, Compliance and Culture.

Glencore’s overall results are limited by a lack of evidence of action on a number of issues, such as supporting procurement from national suppliers in producing countries, and assessing and addressing ESG risks associated with mergers, acquisitions and disposals. Furthermore, the company shows only limited evidence of systematic action to assess and address the risks for workers and communities associated with the operations’ presence in any conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

Moreover, Glencore’s results in the mine-site-level assessment are very variable. While one of its mine sites shows one of the three stronger results (with a score of 50%) among the 180 sites assessed, three of the other six Glencore mine sites assessed show no relevant evidence for seven of the ten issues covered: post-closure planning, community grievances, worker grievances, air quality, water quality and quantity, and emergency preparedness.