PR92091

LONDON, Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

Today, members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) have

committed to a goal of net zero scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by

2050 or sooner, in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. This

landmark commitment was made in an open letter signed by the CEOs of ICMM's

company members.

Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO, ICMM, said: "As the suppliers of the minerals and metals

that are critical to decarbonisation and sustainable development, we have a

particular responsibility to minimise the impact of our operations on the

environment. ICMM members' collective commitment to net zero scope 1 and 2 GHG

emissions by 2050 is a pivotal moment in our history. We are speaking with one

voice, representing approximately one third of the global mining and metals

industry – including more than 650 sites in over 50 countries – so that we

drive emissions reduction at a significant scale.

"ICMM members have and will continue to set meaningful short and/or medium-term

targets to build clear pathways to achieving this goal, while also accelerating

action on addressing scope 3 emissions and enhancing disclosure. We encourage

other mining and metals companies, suppliers and customers to join us in

decarbonising commodity value chains so that we collectively accelerate climate

action in our wider industry."

Gonzalo Munoz, UNFCCC High Level Climate Action Champion, said: "I welcome the

leadership and joint ambition of ICMM members to commit to a goal of net-zero

scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2050 or sooner, and I strongly encourage

companies to set scope 3 GHG emissions reduction targets by the end of 2023.

The High-Level Climate Action Champions encourage members to strive to set the

most ambitious science-based targets possible in line with the criteria of the

Race to Zero campaign."

Although we have individual decarbonisation targets which in some cases go

beyond ICMM's collective commitment, this represents a joint ambition. The rate

and nature of the ultimate decline in emissions will vary across the different

commodities and geographies represented by our diverse membership. Yet our

approach to individually setting and meeting targets will be consistent and

include the following, no later than the end of 2023 where these do not already

exist:

- Setting Scope 1 and 2 targets: we will build clear pathways to achieving net

zero Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2050 or sooner, through meaningful short

and/or medium-term targets.  

- Accelerating action on Scope 3 GHG emissions: we recognise that Scope 3 is

critical to minimising our overall impact and we will set Scope 3 targets, if

not by the end of 2023, as soon as possible. Although all Scope 3 action

depends on the combined efforts of producers, suppliers and customers, some

commodities face greater technological and collaborative barriers than others.

We will play a leading role in overcoming these barriers and advancing

partnerships that enable credible target setting and emission reductions across

value chains.

- Covering all material sources: our targets will cover all material sources of

emissions, aligning to the GHG Protocol definition of organisational boundaries

and materiality.

- Focussing on absolute reductions: for some operations, intensity rather than

absolute targets may be more appropriate in the short and medium term. Where

intensity targets are used, we will disclose the corresponding absolute

increase or decrease in GHG emissions.

- Applying robust methodologies: we will use target-setting methodologies that

are aligned with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and disclose in detail

the assumptions we use.

- Disclosing openly and transparently: we will report our progress on Scopes 1,

2 and 3 annually, obtain external verification over our performance, and report

in alignment with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related

Financial Disclosures.  

These commitments are additional to and have been incorporated into an update

of ICMM's Climate Change Position Statement which had several pre-existing

commitments on performance and disclosure. Action on climate change is an

integral part of ICMM's Mining Principles [https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/about-us/member-requirements/mining-principles ],

representing the comprehensive commitment to a responsible mining and metals

industry.

Notes to editors

This release has been translated from English by a third party. ICMM is not

liable for any inaccuracies in this translation.

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, French and Chinese versions of

the open letter and ICMM's Climate Change Position Statement will be available

on our website:

- The open letter is available here: [https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/environmental-stewardship/climate-change/net-zero-commitment].

- ICMM's updated Climate Change Position Statement is available here: [https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/about-us/member-requirements/position-statements/climate-change].

ICMM's CEO Rohitesh Dhawan will moderate a session at Reuters IMPACT with Jakob

Stausholm, CEO of Rio Tinto, Hilde Aasheim, President & CEO of Hydro, Gonzalo

Muñoz, UNFCCC High Level Climate Action Champion and Manuel Pulgar-Vidal,

Global Leader of Climate & Energy at WWF on 5 October at 16.30 BST to discuss

how the mining and metals industry is making progress towards the goals of the

Paris Agreement and how we can go further.

Supporting assets are available to download from ICMM's media briefing pack [

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xwllrv9rpmqxhw1/AABbXsOfMKmBBc3dZpauxI4ca?dl=0 ]

(including quotes from several ICMM member CEOs and high res images from some

of our company members that are available for publication with the piece –

please credit the source company).

About ICMM  

ICMM is an international organisation dedicated to a safe, fair and sustainable

mining and metals industry. Bringing together 28 mining and metals

companies ( https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/members/member-companies ) and over 35

regional and commodities associations [https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/members/member-associations ], it strengthens environmental and social performance and serves as a catalyst for change,

enhancing mining's contribution to society. Every ICMM company member adheres

to its Mining Principles [ https://www.icmm.com/mining-principles ]

which incorporates comprehensive environmental, social and governance

requirements, robust site-level validation of Performance Expectations and

credible assurance of corporate sustainability reports.

ICMM's 28 company members are: African Rainbow Minerals, Alcoa, Anglo American,

AngloGold Ashanti, Antofagasta Minerals, Barrick, BHP, Boliden, Codelco,

Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Gold Fields, Hydro, JX Nippon Mining & Metals,

Minera San Cristobal, Minsur, Mitsubishi Materials, MMG, Newcrest, Newmont,

Orano, Polyus, Rio Tinto, Sibanye Stillwater, South32, Sumitomo Metal Mining,

Teck and Vale.

SOURCE: International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)