The members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) announced today a landmark commitment by its members to reach net zero Scope 1, and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, and to accelerate action on Scope 3 value chain emissions.

ICMM represents roughly a third of the global metals and mining industry, with members including several of the largest companies in the sector including Anglo American, BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Rio Tinto, and Vale.*

The new commitment was made in an open letter signed by the CEOs of ICMM’s members.

Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO at 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.”

In addition to its new Scope 1 and 2 targets, the open letter sets out a series of climate commitments for the coalition, including accelerating action on Scope 3 emissions and set targets on Scope 3 emissions as soon as possible and to report progress on all emissions scopes annually in alignment with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

The commitments cover all material sources of emissions, and disclosures will include absolute increases or decreases in GHG emissions.

Gonzalo Muñoz, 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.” 

Click here to view the open letter.

*ICMM members: 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 Cristóbal, Minsur, Mitsubishi Materials, MMG, Newcrest, Newmont, Orano, Polyus, Rio Tinto, Sibanye Stillwater, South32, Sumitomo Metal Mining, Teck and Vale.

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