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How do companies that participate in the IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector establish and strengthen their due diligence practices for the benefit of people and planet? By learning about their strengths and weaknesses, and by turning this into actions all parties can benefit from.

We are pleased to welcome TenneT as a new party to the International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector. As a grid operator TenneT provides and important part of the electricity infrastructure in the Netherlands and Germany. The company focusses on integrating the transport of electricity on a European level and believes firmly that renewable energy sources are key in the energy transition. This requires both innovation and a holistic view on a sustainable future. With their commitment to the Agreement the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved expands to 53.

How sustainable is the renewable energy sector? You might think that in itself it is a green sector, but
sustainability is not just about producing energy without CO2 emissions, but also about the quality of the supply processes in value chains. There lies a major challenge. Many of the raw materials for wind turbines and solar panels come from countries where human rights, the environment and biodiversity are under threat. The renewable energy sector, however, is determined to be part of the solution here too.

Parties to the International RBC Agreement for the Metal Sector have concluded five years of cooperation. The Agreement has increased companies' awareness of due diligence, risks in the value chain and sustainability legislation and regulations. Not all objectives have been achieved, but the results provide an important basis for further cooperation.

FME, the business association for the technology industry, has been involved as a supporting organisation of the Metals Agreement since its launch in 2019. To further strengthen the ties with the Agreement, the organisation is joining the Metals Agreement as a party.

From 21 to 24 May 2024 the 17th edition of the OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains took place. Participants from the IRBC Agreements for the Renewable Energy Sector and the Metals Sector, together with the German Sector Dialogue, organised a partner session on the value of multi-stakeholder collaboration for a just transition.

The International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector is expanding with Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) as party to the agreement. Mitsubishi Corporation acquired Eneco group, one of the founding members of the agreement, in 2020, and was eager to join the agreement themselves. This brings the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved to 52.

The International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector is expanding with Powerfield Netherlands B.V., OW Netherlands Holding B.V., Twentsche Kabelfabriek and Havfram as parties to the agreement. This brings the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved to 51.

The IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector is expanding with Seaway7, Jan De Nul Group and Zonunie as parties to the agreement. This brings the total number of companies, organisations and governments involved to 47.

Parties to the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector have developed a new tool: the Due Diligence Risk Matrix. The Matrix gives an overview of the risks for 39 main raw materials within the metals sector.