Members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) have committed to achieving net zero scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with the Paris Agreement's goals.
"ICMM members' collective commitment to net zero scope one (direct) and two (indirect) greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is a pivotal moment in our history," CEO Rohitesh Dhawan said in an open letter signed by the 28 heads of the world's largest miners.
Under pressure from environmental activists and shareholders, many miners, including Rio Tinto, Anglo American, and BHP, have already committed to achieving net zero direct and indirect emissions by 2050.
According to the ICMM, the collective pledge indicates a shared aim from companies that account for one-third of the worldwide mining and metals industry.
The rate and nature of the ultimate reduction in emissions, the ICMM emphasized, will vary depending on the commodities and locations represented by the organization's various members. However, its approach to creating and accomplishing individual goals will be consistent.
Its 28 members are spread across 650 sites in over 50 countries.
The statement comes ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference next month, which hopes to get more ambitious climate action from the roughly 200 countries that signed the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming.
Dhawan told Reuters that increasing the use of renewable energy and lowering or eliminating the usage of diesel trucks will reduce direct and indirect emissions.
Targets for scope three emissions, which includes those from customers processing iron ore to steel, should be in place "if not by the end of 2023, as soon as possible."
Carbon-free steel production technology has yet to be proven.
Between 2016 and 2018, ICMM members, including Barrick Gold and Alcoa, lowered emissions by 6%, Dhawan said.
Glencore, the world's largest supplier of seaborne thermal coal, has committed to a scope 3 goal, mostly by depleting the capital in its coal mines.
The ICMM stated that companies will report on their progress once a year.
Every ICMM company will follow the group's Mining Principles, which include stringent environmental, social, and governance criteria, as well as thorough site-level validation of Performance Expectations and reliable assurance of corporate sustainability reporting.
