Nature Positive Role of the Mining and Metals Sector

3.5 Transform policy systems and collaborate across sectors Priority action 5 Advocate for policy systems that protect nature and catalyse cross-sector and cross-industry collaboration. Call on governments to strengthen nature-related policy Mining and metals companies have a role to play in collectively calling for more progressive policies and regulations that set the minimum standards for the sector. Indeed, companies can advocate for governments to:284 –Implement a resource governance framework, such as UNEP’s Sustainable Development Licence to Operate,285 which promotes sustainable development and supports equitable benefit sharing for all stakeholders. –Develop and implement ambitious national biodiversity strategy and action plans (NBSAPs), including a national mining sector transition pathway.286 –Support operationalization of nature-related targets (including site-level NNL and BNG targets) and adherence to the mitigation hierarchy – for example, governments can provide guidelines on metrics (e.g. habitat classification for equivalency) and build supporting infrastructure for companies (e.g. regulated biodiversity offset markets). –Develop comprehensive landscape-level management plans that clearly delineate no- go areas (that strictly ban any commercial and/ or industrial land use conversion or resource extraction) from mining areas in collaboration with mining companies. These plans should include a strong bias towards banning exploration or mining in IUCN categories I-IV Protected Areas287 or equivalent and ensuring exploration and mining in KBAs288 and other areas of high ecological, cultural or community significance are avoided wherever possible (e.g. including areas where Indigenous Peoples live in voluntary isolation and initial contact289). In addition, avoid downgrading, downsizing or degazetting Protected Areas. Where mining is permitted in such areas, establish safeguards to minimize negative nature impacts, such as robust permitting and licensing systems. Nature Positive: Role of the Mining and Metals Sector 44