According to a former executive of Royal Dutch Shell who is now seeking to become a member of the board of BHP Billiton, believes the worlds biggest mining company is underestimating the effects of future climate change.

The advocate for climate change, Ian Dunlop, was the former chairman of Australian Coal Association before choosing to promote awareness of this man made event. He is standing for election to the board of BHP during its annual general meeting held in London. BHP Billiton Chairman Hac Nasser had campaigned against Dunlop as Dunlop is focusing 'primarily on a single issue will not add to the effectve governance of the business'. 

Dunlop for his part said, "The very fact that Jac can say that demonstrates to me they don't understand wha climate is about. This is not a single issue. This is an issue that's going to permeate every single thing that BHP do(sic)."

According to UN study, most of the known fossil reserves would need to remain unburned to prevent rise of temperatures beyond a specific target range and avoid the dangerous consequences of climate change. Currently BHP operates thermal coal production facilities in Australia, Columbia, South Africa and the United States. it also has oil and gas production facilities in Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdoma and the United States.